The Spencerport School Board’s unanimous decision Tuesday, February 24 to join the Urban-Suburban program was met with the same mix of emotion that characterized debate over the controversial issue during the past several months.
Some in the audience met the vote with applause and a standing ovation. Others, clearly unhappy, expressed their desire verbally before leaving, that current board members be voted out. One man approached the table where the board was seated and was physically removed from the Cosgrove Middle School auditorium where the Board of Education meeting took place. The man told the Suburban News/The Herald he only went up to talk to board members and was told he had to leave.
Residents against Urban-Suburban say they plan to continue their fight through legal channels. They say they are hiring an attorney to sue the district over the fact the Urban-Suburban program is not open to caucasian students and therefore discriminatory.
Outside the auditorium on Februry 24, Spencerport resident Ed Patt, a coach at Spencerport and a teacher in the Greece Central School District, said he was neither for nor against Urban-Suburban, but could empathize with both sides.
Patt said he grew up in the Brockport Central School District, where Urban-Suburban has been in place for decades, and taught a student in Greece who was an Urban-Suburban student until her family relocated to the suburbs.
“Let me have 100 students like that,” Patt said.
On the other hand, he questioned what the real issue is with the Spencerport District deciding to join the program. “If the goal is diversity awareness, is this the only vehicle….. if the goal is saving teacher positions, is there any other way?” he asked.
Patt noted diversity might also be accomplished through field trips or bringing in guest speakers. He added that the Spencerport community has available housing options for all income levels.
Spencerport School Superintendent Michael Crumb recommended during the meeting that the district begin implementing Urban-Suburban during the upcoming 2015/2016 school year.
The program will begin with entry points in the first, second and sixth grades, with six students entering at each level. The program would continue to be phased-in until it reaches 72 students.
During the privilege-of-the-floor portion of the meeting, Spencerport resident Tom Mawn presented the board with an 18-page petition filled with signatures of residents who want the board to bring the issue to a referendum, so the public can vote.
Board members met in executive session for about 30 minutes to study the petition and consult their attorney.
Following the executive session, Board President William Sweeney told those in attendance, “This program is a decision that rests with the Board of Education. A public referendum would be purely advisory. It would not have legal binding on the Board’s decision.”
During discussion before the Board’s vote, member Michael Zale made a motion to table the vote until after a public referendum was held on the issue during the May school budget vote. The motion did not receive a second and failed.
Zale said a public referendum would give the Board a clear idea of how the community stands on the divisive Urban-Suburban issue.
Board member Gary Bracken said before the Board’s vote, “…it’s a small group of kids that want a chance at a good education…… if we are someplace special, we can give these kids this opportunity.”
Board Vice-President Jody Gillette said most of the feedback she received personally from residents has been positive about joining the program. “We can opt out or remove a child,” she noted, “although the program is controversial, it does have support.”
Board President William Sweeney said, “Respecting diversity affirms individual worth and benefits the community.” He explained that recent debate, although heated, was exciting for him. “It re-energized me to be a part of a community (that) wants to provide a great education for their students.”
