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Parent urges board to reverse decision that ended German program
Summary
A parent told the Eden board the decision to end the German program removed a choice from students and urged the board to use its authority to seek alternatives; the superintendent and board members explained staffing and certification challenges and that one section of German will remain to serve students completing level requirements.
During the public-comment period, parent Jessica Antonik told the board she was "disappointed in the school's decision to cease the German program," saying the program set the district apart and that ending it "is a disservice to the students." Antonik said there were German applicants and urged the board to use its authority under New York State education law to question hiring recommendations and seek a solution for students who chose the language.
Antonik said the district’s decision "is not in the best interest of students" and estimated the change would negatively affect about 25% of each grade that had enrolled in the program. Board members and the superintendent responded in the meeting: trustees said the district had explored many options but found them fiscally or practically unfeasible, and the superintendent explained no candidate with German certification advanced to the final stages of hiring, prompting the district to prioritize French and Spanish staffing this year. The superintendent also assured the board that "we will have one section of German to get them to that third level" so students completing the sequence can continue.
