While presenting the Board of Education goals along with her educational vision back in September, Superintendent Lucille F. Iconis announced that, “Massapequa is a really good district, but we always need to look to continuously improve…if we don’t move forward, we fall back.”
The board voted 4-1 to allow the superintendent to continue to research her recommendations, which include moving the sixth grade from the elementary buildings into Berner Middle School.
“This initiative would provide students with a true middle school experience that coordinates with the NYS 6-8 curriculum,” said Iconis. “This is nothing new as the majority of Long Island’s sixth grade students attend a 6-8 middle school.”
The proposed re-configuration enhances the academic program by including foreign language, health and technology classes using the increased 80 minutes per day of class time at the secondary level. It also affords students extra curricular opportunities that are tailored to their age group. In addition, it would ensure that special education support services and remediation classes be built into the students’ program rather than pullouts during valuable class time.
Iconis and the board have scheduled work sessions to discuss the pros/cons of instructional programs, increased opportunities, social/emotional appropriateness and the financial/facilities impact of such a re-configuration.
“As superintendent, it is my job to constantly assess the district and make recommendations,” Iconis said of her plan, which includes foreign language and stronger science/tech programs at the elementary level, international baccalaureate and humanities accelerated courses at the secondary level and a possible pre-school program in the future.
Iconis scheduled focus groups at each of the elementary schools to gather insight on concerns, as she understands this is an “emotionally charged proposal.”
Attendance has been fair at the meetings held thus far, given the number of families with children enrolled in the elementary schools. Those that attended voiced their concerns, which included: the social/emotional impact of children as young as 10 in a building with 13/14 year olds at a time when bullying and substance abuse concerns are paramount and the lack of a concrete plan to transition sixth grade to the middle school without departmentalization in place. Kerry Wachter at the McKenna meeting said, “the superintendent seemed receptive to suggestions regarding their transition; she is taking input from parents and finding solutions.”
Other concerns included the elementary buildings having too many open rooms and the potential that a building will close to save money and that the move is the only option that the district is researching to enhance the sixth grade program. Shari Impastato voiced her concern at the Lockhart meeting.
“Alternatives haven’t been fully explored so we don’t truly know this is the best option. With the long term effects this will have, we deserve the best option,” she said.
The financial implications will not be presented until before the board may act on the recommendation.
Iconis immediately assured parents that the board and district are committed to the neighborhood’s schools.
Gina Cutter thought the East Lake focus group was informative on what the district is bringing to the table for sixth grade but she would have liked, “the pros and cons of the move and not just the pros.”
At this time, the work sessions and remaining focus groups have been postponed due to an “unfortunate and threatening communication received by the superintendent of schools,” board president Jane Ryan posted on the district website. An investigation is ongoing with the hope that the proposed meetings will be re-scheduled and the discussion continued.
