Parents urge board to pause grade reconfiguration until later secondary start times are guaranteed

Summary

Hundreds of written and in-person comments at the Three Village Central School District workshop called on the Board of Education to pause the planned move of sixth and ninth graders until the district secures later secondary start times and clarifies renovation costs and transportation arrangements.

Hundreds of parents and community members told the Three Village Central School District Board of Education on March 5 that the planned grade reconfiguration — moving sixth graders to middle schools and ninth graders to Ward Melville High School — should be paused until later secondary school start times are guaranteed.

The public-comment period, which included in-person speakers and dozens of written submissions read into the record, repeatedly urged the board to delay the reconfiguration if the district cannot implement later high‑school and middle‑school start times at the same time. “If start times remain early, the student undergoing school transitions will be even more sleep deprived than they already are,” wrote Carmela Talercio, one of the correspondents read by staff.

Board and district officials told the workshop that the reconfiguration and start‑time proposals are linked in budgeting and scheduling but that the district faces a budget gap. Superintendent Dr. Timothy Scanlon and Business Official Mr. Jeff Carlson presented material showing the reconfiguration plan includes…

Parents urge board to pause grade reconfiguration until later secondary start times are guaranteed

Summary

Subscribe to keep reading