-By Kevin and Robin Roach
We are writing to refute an inaccurate statement made by Mineola School Board candidate Joy Renner at Meet the Candidate night on Monday, May 4.
Renner said while she was not familiar with the special education department in the district, she recently attended a Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) meeting and heard from frustrated parents. “Here in Mineola, we advance our students through math,” she said. “What about the children who are not ready for this? There is nothing offered for students. Parents were frustrated with the continued failing grades their children were receiving.”
This statement could not be further from the truth. During a presentation about changes in our special education department, I asked a follow up question about how the school plans to support students who are accelerated in math but are struggling. I was speaking about my son, who is not a special education student.
The administrator in attendance was quick to answer with many ways the district supports a student who needs assistance, and presented many options. My son was at the meeting and received assistance the very next day. There was not one parent at the meeting who expressed any concerns or frustrations with the math program, special education or the district.
Instead of misrepresenting my statements at that meeting, Mrs. Renner could have mentioned several initiatives that were discussed including that the high school will be hiring teachers who are dual certified in both subject matter and special education. Previously, there was a subject matter teacher and a special education teacher. In addition, the district is hiring three new dual certified math teachers.
The presentations that evening, which focused on many positive changes/additions to the district’s social skills program and special education program as a whole; the wonderful ways that the district’s Accelerated and Gifted Program is harnessing technology to learn and help others and an occupational therapy presentation that detailed ways that parents can promote and strengthen fine motor skills in all children with summer recreation and outdoor play.
There was opportunity for Renner to offer her input as both a candidate and as a special education teacher, yet she offered nothing. School board candidate Christine Napolitano attended the meeting and offered up suggestions, including having students work together to use Skype and to broadcast SEPTA meetings so that parents, who cannot attend due to child care issues unique to the special education community, could participate.
There is no question in our mind that there are only two people who are qualified to lead this board now and in the future are Christine Napolitano and Brian Widman.
