Nyack Schools will hold the first of four public meetings tonight to consider revamping who-goes-where at the district’s three elementary schools. The approach, which educators call “The Princeton Plan, would concentrate all grades at one school distributing two elementary grades at each school.

“For the past couple of years the district has been exploring elementary school enrollment, demographics and attendance line adjustments to provide the most equitable and educationally and economically sound configuration for the three schools,” says Dr. James Montesano, Superintendent of Nyack Schools. An advisory committee of administrators, teachers and parents has studied the issue and the administration will present its results at at various locations over the next several weeks. All meetings will begin at 7:30p

• Mon Oct 1: Upper Nyack School
• Wed Oct 3: Liberty School
• Tues Oct 9: Valley Cottage School
• Tues Oct 30: Nyack Center

The plan that will be presented will put two grades in each elementary school building.

• Kindergarten and first-graders would go to Valley Cottage
• Grades 2-3 would attend Liberty School
• Students in Grades 4-5 would go to Upper Nyack School.

Parents and citizens with questions about the proposed changes are invited to attend the public meetings or contact Nyack Schools.

Here is a letter posted at NyackSchools.com from James J. Montesano, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools about these upcoming meetings.

September, 2012
Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am writing to inform you that I am aware of conversation in the community about a possible reconfiguration of our elementary schools. Recognizing this is a sensitive issue, I assure you that no decision has been made about it by me nor the Board of Education. We are now beginning a process of providing information and gathering feedback on the concept so the best possible decision can be made.

For the past couple of years the District has been exploring elementary school enrollment, demographics and attendance line adjustments to provide the most equitable and educationally and economically sound configuration for the three schools. With the fiscal realities of the new tax levy cap and ongoing funding uncertainties, a 2010-11 Advisory Committee was reconvened last year-to revisit the issue and a possible new school enrollment pattern.

The Committee, consisting of staff and parent representatives, conducted research based on enrollment projections, building utilization, educational advantages and disadvantages, cost efficiencies and pertinent miscellaneous other concerns. Its report was given at a public Board meeting in June. This information will be presented at discussion sessions at the schools and in the community as follows:

Monday, October 1		Upper Nyack School	7:30p
Wednesday, October 3		Liberty School	7:30p
Tuesday, October 9		Valley Cottage School	7:30p
Tuesday, October 30		Nyack Center	7:30p

Any decision to change the configuration of the elementary schools will be based on the District’s commitment to provide a quality, well rounded education in the academics, arts, and co-curricular activities, to be fiscally responsible to taxpayers and to listen to input from the community. I encourage you to attend these sessions if you are able to, and/or contact my office for accurate information (353- 7015 or jmontesano@nyackschools.com), or to provide feedback.

I look forward to continuing to work with parents, staff and the community to find solutions to the varied challenges we face as we prepare our students for a successful future.

Sincerely,

James J. Montesano, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools