More teamwork is needed in District 12

The school year is approaching the halfway mark, and it has been a great year for District 12. The Malverne High School marching band just won second place in the state championships, and administrators have expanded the district’s character education program to all four schools to help keep students motivated to achieve their goals.

But the disputes among district administrators, parents and residents have only escalated since last year, and we urge all members of the community to rededicate themselves to working together.

District 12 serves Malverne, Lakeview and North Lynbrook, and the Herald understands that each community has its own interests, but all parties involved need to do a better job of being team players for the sake of education and for the sake of the district’s children. Education cannot remain a priority when every issue, no matter how minor, turns into a heated debate or is taken as a personal attack against another person or group. We’re not saying that everyone in the district has to like one another, but everyone needs to find a way to co-exist and put personal agendas aside so that students can be put first.

The insults and outbursts that occur at school board meetings each month need to stop. Adults acting so disorderly is unacceptable, and it sets a poor example. Residents must remember that although they have a right to voice their concerns to the school board, they must do it respectfully.

We encourage the administration to host a school community input meeting, where residents can express their concerns in a public forum, because it is clear that they are frustrated with the school board’s “submit non-agenda-related concerns in writing” policy. That is probably why certain issues are raised repeatedly at board meetings. We understand that not every issue can be discussed at the meetings, but taxpayers should never be silenced. The school board needs to do a better job of improving communication between the administration and the public.

The Herald encourages every member of the district to put students’ needs first and leave politics and nonsense off the agenda. The children in the district must be properly educated, and the administration deserves the right to fulfill its responsibilities in a positive atmosphere, as well as a decision-making environment that is supported by people who truly want what’s best for the students. Mutual respect is a lesson we all should learn.