Doshi STEM program may come to an end

Since early this year, the BOCES Doshi STEM program, a half-day, five-days-a-week learning experience in science, technology, engineering and math for high school students, has been in danger of closing. A million-dollar grant promised to the program by Dr. Leena Doshi, a co-founder of Doshi Diagnostic Imaging Services, had only contributed $150,000 in 2013 — the program’s first year of operation — and failed to make subsequent payments.

Why Doshi failed to make promised payments remains a mystery. There is speculation among some that a $15 million payment Doshi Diagnostic Imaging made to settle a lawsuit by the state and federal governments alleging Medicare and Medicaid fraud may be the reason, but parents and school administrators could not say for sure. Doshi could not be reached for comment.

Now parents and students involved in the program are waiting for BOCES to make a decision about its future, while administrators at Malverne High School are seeking alternatives for students who had committed themselves to a four-year program.

“We tried to nail [BOCES] down as to when they have to make a decision on their budget,” said Josephine Bottitta, a Malverne Board of Education trustee. “But they haven’t yet delivered on any additional information about the future of the program or their budget timing.”

Some parents said they believe BOCES will ultimately make a decision in November, and Malverne Superintendent Dr. James Hunderfund said it must be made before the first of the year. The BOCES board has a budget orientation meeting scheduled for Dec. 17, at which they will discuss the program, among other items, said Theresa Schaefer, who works in the BOCES communications office.