Abby Klein's experiences with the reconfiguration issue

My name is Abby Klein. My family just moved here last summer from California. Both of my children are in the upper houses at Williston Central.
I actually ran for School Board in the last election just for this reason...I wanted to have a say in the reconfiguration process because I could tell that the parents were being completely left out in the cold. One of my platforms in the election was the creation of two year instead of four year houses.
When I attended the FAP meeting in March, (incidentally, it is the only one I could attend because normally the meetings are held in the morning. I am a classroom teacher, so I cannot attend morning meetings. When I inquired about why the meetings weren't held at night, I was told it was because the teachers are not at school then and they are supposed to have representatives on the council. Why can't they rotate who attends and sign up to come one meeting a year?) Anyway...

At that FAP meeting, every parent there was starving for information about the reconfiguration. Walter Nardelli was VERY evasive and only spoke of the philosophical underpinnings of the new plan. He said he wanted to create more connectedness within the school community because that was a characteristic of successful schools. I pointed out that the current house system was the antithesis of connectedness. The houses are keep very separate and each house has its own identity. I think kids revere their own houses and stereotype others. Isn't this stereotyping behavior just the kind of behavior the school works so hard to eradicate? Imagine my shock when bits and pieces of the plan started to leak out and it was virtually maintaining the status quo! How does that improve connectedness, the linchpin of Mr. Nardelli's new philosophy?
I actually did not attend the School Board meeting when the plan was being unveiled because at that FAP meeting the School Board member who was present was asked if the Board was going to be taking input, and she basically said they were really just going to rubber stamp the administration's plan. I could see the writing on the wall then...
Why is the current Board being so passive? I, too respect teachers (as I am one) and their input, but I also feel that the most successful schools treat parents as partners and value their input, not just look at them as people who help with fundraising. I find it ironic that the PTA (as we called it in California) is specifically not called the PTA here, but the FAP, families as partners. Are we really partners?
As an educator, I am in complete agreement with you regarding the lack of academic rigor which I also feel is the result of the inflexible house system. When I asked why the children did not have social studies and science all year, I was told it was because if they only had it half a year, then they could have it for longer blocks of time. In other words, they could have it all year for 30 minutes a day, or half a year for an hour a day. My response was that they should be having it for an hour a day all year!! You show me another middle school in the country where the students only have the subjects for half a year. It's ludicrous! I am also stunned that there are no advanced math classes until eighth grade. There should be advanced math being offered as early as sixth grade. I definitely feel that enrichment room is a very poor answer to meeting the needs of students who need more academic challenge. If the scheduling were more flexible and kids were not confined to their houses, then more of these advanced classes could be offered.
I think what I am most upset about is the process through which this whole plan was devised. I would have sat on a committee to work on a new configuration plan; however parents were never invited to join the dialogue. I even asked when the meetings were (thinking I had missed my opportunity to sign up) only to be told that there already was a planning committee that consisted of parents, teachers, and administrators. Really? I still don't understand why this is all a big secret.
Obviously, I don't know all the history since I just moved here, but I am appalled to find out that this conversation has been going on for some time now. I think the administration and the board had a golden opportunity here considering they were forced into restructuring due to budgetary shortfalls and declining enrollment and they squandered it! I commend you for speaking out and will do whatever I can to support you. Sorry I didn't write to you sooner, but I was out of town.
Don't give up. Our voices need to be heard!

Sincerely,
Abby Klein

posted with permission of the original author

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Joe Bourgeois' letter to the School Board

I am writing in support of the letter recently written by Jeff Smith and would like to share with you my own frustration with the Williston School System. My two sons Cole and CJ had been enrolled in the Williston School system for 5 and 4 years respectively. When my son Cole entered into 5^th grade my previous concerns with the school system were greatly amplified and I personally met with his teachers and the administration to voice my concerns.
Going to meet with teachers and the administration on numerous occasions and witnessing how classes are conducted day to day in the house format made me realize that there was nothing that any teacher could do to rectify my concerns – it was the structure of the classroom itself that is simply not conducive to learning. When I met with the administration and asked that my sons get moved into a more structured house like Full House their response was "Everyone wants their kids in Full House". My response to them was that if that is the response from parents why isn't the entire school structured like Full House is? Even if that was the case the fact of having 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th graders in the same classroom together can not possibly be a formula for success and is of great concern.

As my children do participate in a variety of sports I was always very surprised how few of the kids of the same grade level knew one-another. Attending school music concerts for a number of years at Williston Central School the music teacher asked the children on stage, who were all from the same grade, to raise their hand if they were sitting next to someone they had never met before and almost every child on stage would raise their hand. The best relationships most of us made as we were growing up were from our classmates in school. Socially and educationally the current system at Williston Central School is not working to the best interest of our children.

I, along with numerous other Williston residents I know, became so frustrated with the Williston School system I moved my kids out of the school and enrolled them into another school district. This has proven to be a very good decision as my two sons who were feeling very frustrated and confused in the classroom are now much more secure in their setting, understanding expectations, and striving to exceed measurable goals. Both of them are now doing very well in school and appreciate their classroom structure.

The Williston school system needs to be changed. If change does not take place, people like myself, will move out of the city in the best interest of our children, or elect not to move there to begin with.
Joe Bourgeois
posted with permission of the original author

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Nancy Kahn's Letter to the School Board

Dear Williston School Administration, Williston School Board and Williston Observer;

I am writing to voice my support for the concerns expressed in Jeff Smith's Guest Column "School's house system needs 'meaningful change'' published in the April 17, 2008 Williston Observer.

As a Williston resident and tax payer I feel it is time for a FULL restructuring of the Upper House Configuration which reflects the desire of our community. THIS IS OUR SCHOOL/THE COMMUNITY'S SCHOOL, NOT THE TEACHERS' SCHOOL and we want change NOW.

In addition to this, the survey showed 78% of people felt that it was important to house all of the same grade students in the same school. This number is above Walter Nardelli's goal number of 75% for satisfaction which inherently should make it a very high priority. The changes proposed in the lower house, as well as the upper house are set to create even more inequality and enhance the feeling of house membership versus that of a Williston community. It is financially, socially, and academically inappropriate to create such differences.

Parents should have a voice in the education of their children. The School Board is elected to represent the views of the community and the best interest of the children. In this case, the School Board unquestioningly accepted the one proposal from the administration without seeking community input.

I agree, this is OUR children and OUR school. Let's make it a strong Williston Community School!

Thank you.

Nancy Kahn

republished with the permission of the original author

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Betsey Dempsey's Letter to the School Board

Even though it is a year away, I am concerned about my daughter entering 5th grade where there is no separation between 5th and 8th graders. Let's be real. There is a huge difference between the average 5th grader and 8th grader. That is not the case within the lower houses. I thought for sure there would be changes to the upper house which resembled the survey responses. I certainly will not allow my daughter to be in a house which has an additional 8th grade class.

The problem with hiring "consultants" is that they are paid. I feel the school district will (maybe even unconsciously) feel they must implement the recommendations or they will have paid for nothing.

I was disappointed to learn of the results.

Betsey Dempsey

Reprinted with permission of the original author

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