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Teachers, students urge Williamsville board to preserve Learning Lab as district pilots a period‑by‑period model
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Summary
Learning Lab teachers and students told the board Jan. 13 that eliminating the current Learning Lab would harm vulnerable students; Superintendent Dr. Darren J. Brownhall said Learning Lab support will continue but be delivered in a different, period‑by‑period model and that the district is piloting that model at East High.
Learning Lab teachers, staff and students urged the Williamsville Central School District board Jan. 13 to retain the district’s current Learning Lab program, arguing it provides essential, relationship‑based interventions for students who learn differently.
Michelle Dobiak, speaking for Learning Lab teachers, said the district had informed staff that Learning Lab positions would be eliminated and that the model would be replaced. “Learning Lab isn’t just a support, it is a specialized program that can’t be replaced with period‑by‑period,” Dobiak said, adding that Learning Lab serves approximately 350 students per school year and is integral to the district’s MTSS tier‑2 intervention work.
Student Gabrielle Berardi told the board the current Learning Lab provides one‑on‑one help that prevents students from falling behind and asked the board to keep the program intact.
In the superintendent’s community update later in the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Darren J. Brownhall said some public statements about discontinuing Learning Lab were incorrect. “Learning lab support will continue,” Brownhall said. “Will it be in the current model? No. It will not. We are piloting a period‑by‑period model at East High School for the second semester.” He added that the district is exploring different models that could be more flexible and emphasised parents or principals may contact the district for more details.
Brownhall also said initial Learning Lab funding was supported by ESSER COVID grants and that the program’s ongoing cost in the district is approximately $800,000; the district now pays for the model from the general fund. Teachers at the meeting warned a period‑by‑period approach could fragment support and reduce the continuity Learning Lab staff currently provide.
The board did not take action on the program at the meeting; the superintendent and district staff said they will continue to share information and pilot the period‑by‑period model at East High while monitoring student outcomes.
