The Jericho Union Free School District has taken a firm stand against a state-proposed regionalization plan.
The school board voted unanimously against participating and plans to seek legal recourse, Long Island Press reported.
On December 20, the Board of Education for Jericho Union Free School District decided not to join the state's initiative aimed at sharing regional resources among schools. This initiative was designed to mitigate disparities by pooling resources. However, local stakeholders feared it would undermine their authority over educational affairs.
The district's rejection followed strong adversity towards the initiative since its introduction. The board was particularly vocal about retaining autonomy over local school operations. Board President Christopher Foresto emphasized they would rather engage legal representation than succumb to external pressures.
Trustee Jennifer Vartanov commended the board for its swift and transparent actions which aligned with the community's interests. “I just want to thank the board of education for working swiftly and transparently to get this done in the benefit of Jericho,” she commented.
While the plan initially required compulsory participation, a state Board of Regents committee revised this on December 9, changing the phrasing to encourage districts to join voluntarily. Despite this revision, only three out of 56 districts in Nassau County chose to participate in the planning process.
At the November meeting, President Foresto had already hinted at taking legal actions if the state did not address the district’s concerns properly. By December, Jericho had commenced discussions with Rigano, LLC, a law firm that also represents nearby school districts facing similar issues.
Such proactive measures underscore the board's dedication, as Foresto elaborated on their thorough approach: “The board of education has been diligent in researching this.” He further noted the lack of satisfactory responses from state officials regarding their concerns.
The district demands that the authority of the state’s BOCES superintendent should not supersede that of the Jericho superintendent or interfere with the local board’s control. This was a pivotal point in the board’s decision to opt out entirely from the regionalization efforts.
Our responsibility is to educate students who live within the Jericho Union Free School District and support our families, Foresto stated. Unfortunately, their verbal assurances fell short of what the Jericho Board of Education was looking for, and we will promptly be moving toward retaining legal representation.
Superintendent Hank Grishman was tasked with notifying the state of their decision, formally marking Jericho’s non-participation in the initiative. They will also be free from any future obligations related to the regionalization plans.
Throughout the entire process, the board maintained a focus on community needs and local governance, with Foresto highlighting, “We’ve heard the community. We are part of the community.” This reflects a collective effort to prioritize local educational interests over broader state-led initiatives.
The district's firm stand signifies a broader challenge to state-imposed educational plans that are perceived as overreaching. Jericho’s decision to legally contest the regionalization plan emphasizes their commitment to maintaining control over local educational policies and supporting the immediate community's needs.
Thus, the district remains steadfast in their resolve to operate independently of the state’s regionalization strategy, bolstering their advocacy for local control and autonomy in educational governance.
