Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public commenters ask board about ADL, HMTC role in peer-leadership program; district to provide records
Summary
Members of the public asked the board about the district’s use of outside providers for peer-leadership and mental-health programs — specifically the Anti-Defamation League and the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center — and requested contract details and annual costs.
Three members of the public addressed the board during audience to the public with questions and concerns about curriculum and outside vendors used in peer-leadership programs and other offerings.
Tanya Getz asked whether research courses (Research I/II) are tied too closely to honors science and suggested research opportunities should be interdisciplinary and open to students from non-honors tracks. She also asked why the district limits dual enrollment partnerships and suggested Nassau County Community College as an additional dual-enrollment partner.
Ibrahim Khaja asked for financial and contracting details related to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which the district uses for a peer-leadership program. Khaja requested the annual cost of ADL services, whether the district pays ADL for additional services beyond peer leadership, when the district last considered other vendors for peer leadership, and whether ADL payments have grown over time.
Brian Tavett (speaker identified as a former forensics competitor) urged the board not to renew the ADL contract and expressed concern that the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) has moved beyond Holocaust education into contemporary geopolitical advocacy. Tavett said the district must ensure programming funded with federal dollars complies with Title VI non‑discrimination obligations and that students who support Palestinian perspectives have access to district programs without feeling excluded.
Superintendent Rogers responded that staff would treat the detailed contract and payment questions as a records request (FOIL) to ensure accurate answers. Rogers also described curriculum and research-program changes underway, including decoupling some science honors/Research II linkages and a plan to create multiple research strands (social science, physical sciences, technology/engineering) to broaden access.
Ending: The board closed audience to the public after three speakers. District staff said they would provide requested contract and payment information via formal records channels.
