More frustration at Common Core at Wantagh BOE meeting

The anger expressed last week by many parents toward New York State Education Commissioner John B. King Jr. during two Long Island forums over his continued push for Common Core education standards spilled over into Thursday night’s Wantagh school board meeting.

  Cathy Powell, who attended an educational forum held at Ward Melville High School in East Setauket, described during the public comments portion of the Wantagh meeting pointed criticism parents and teachers have leveled at King for his support of the new standards that kicked in last spring. Many have criticized Common Core, which consists of increased assessments for grades 3-8 in English and Math, for an over-emphasis on standardized testing and taking away student creativity in the classroom, as well as for the state’s rushed implementation of the curriculum and lack of financial resources to support it.

  “They are selling out our children and we are sitting by and letting it happen,” said Powell, whose remarks drew loud applause from the small crowd inside the high school auditorium. “Why are we choosing to believe certain professionals but we are not choosing to believe the ones who are in the classrooms and the ones who are with the children?”

Parent Lori Valdez urged the board trustees at their Oct. 17 meeting to follow the lead of 80 other school boards across the state that have adopted resolutions opposing increased standardized testing resulting from Common Core. Valdez, who has three children at Wantagh Elementary School, once again requested during the Nov. 14 meeting that the school board take a stand against Common Core while pointing out how the increase in testing has caused increased anxiety for her daughter in fourth grade. As of Nov. 15, an online petition on ipetitions.com seeking a school board resolution against increased high stakes testing in Wantagh had obtained 133 signatures.

  “These tests are a waste of time and money,” Valdez said. “I once again urge you to write a resolution.”

  Wantagh Superintendent Maureen Goldberg has said that she and other Long Island educational leaders have told King about the speed with which the Common Core standards have been imposed on the district. Two more public forums on Common Core standards are scheduled for Nov. 26 and Dec. 9, but their locations and times were not announced as of press time.

Wantagh Receives Positive Audit Report

The Nov. 14 school board meeting also featured a report detailing the annual external audit review of the Wantagh School District’s finances, which showed positive results.

“All in all, the district does have very solid controls,” said Marianne Van Duyne, audit partner for R.S. Abrams & Co., during her report. “Financially I think your balance sheet is very strong.”  

The 2013 external audit was the first for Wantagh’s new assistant superintendent for business, Adriana Silver. Silver started her new position in July after Wantagh’s previous business chief, Dana DiCapua, departed for a similar role with Garden City Public Schools.

  The next Wantagh school board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. in the Wantagh High School Auditorium.