Parents press board for faster policy review and data-privacy answers; Synergy program complaints raise calls for investigation
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Summary
Multiple parents told the board Dec. 18 to restore meaningful public comment, speed policy changes and investigate student-impact and data-privacy issues tied to the Synergy program and 'Build Your Own Grade' review; the board said a special-counsel review is underway and findings will be presented in January.
Several parents and community members used the public-comment period Dec. 18 to urge the Mineola Union Free School District Board of Education to move more quickly on governance and transparency measures tied to recent controversies.
Gina (last name given in the transcript as Angelillo) told the board that respectful public comment is a core function of governance and urged the board to revisit its response email and policy changes quickly rather than delaying. "Respectful public comment is not a failure of governance," she said, adding that public comment led to meaningful action earlier in the year and that limiting public voice risks eroding trust.
Speaker Stephanie urged the board to permit public Q&A after presentations and suggested the district mirror Town of North Hempstead procedures that allow speakers before votes on agenda items. She also asked that findings from the special-counsel review be presented with opportunity for questions on Jan. 8.
A parent who identified concerns about the Synergy program and its replacement/transition to Empower called for a formal investigation into Synergy’s academic and postsecondary impacts, questioned how Empower was contracted and whether it complied with Ed Law 2-d, and requested a certificate confirming deletion of student data collected in Empower after Synergy’s discontinuation. In strongly worded remarks, the parent said: "Mineola High School failed to educate the Synergy students," and urged board accountability and a formal inquiry.
The board previously announced it retained special counsel to review its digital learning management system and said interviews for that review are complete; President Cheryl Ann Pasona said findings will be presented at the first BOE meeting of the new year. The district also said it has complied with FOIL requests and cooperated with inquiries by the New York State Education Department and the Nassau County District Attorney's Office.
What the board will do next: President Pasona and trustees acknowledged public concerns and said the board will review its public-comment policy in January. Several board members said they will consider the public suggestions for meeting structure and for including Q&A opportunities when votes are taken. The board moved into executive session at 10:01 p.m. to discuss personnel matters and receive legal advice.