Parent urges Eden board to reverse decision to end German program

At the public comment portion of the meeting, parent Jessica Antonik identified herself and urged the board to reconsider the district decision to cease the German language program.

“I am a parent of a student… I am here to just address the board 1 more time about and express my disappointment in the school's decision to cease the German program,” Antonik said, adding that the choice removed curriculum options for students and that German applicants had existed. Antonik asked the board to use its authority under New York State education law to question hiring decisions and, if necessary, oppose a recommended hire.

Board members and the superintendent responded with a mix of explanation and acknowledgement: trustees described long vetting and certification constraints for German teachers and said the district settled on hiring a French-certified teacher after considering Spanish and French candidates. The superintendent noted candidate certification for German is hard to find and that the district attempted different approaches before concluding French was the viable path. The board confirmed it will provide more public explanation at future meetings.