Newsday Op-Ed (Bixhorn)

[Chris_Wendt]

Newsday recently had an op-ed piece from the head of Eastern Suffolk BOCES, declaring that schools need more state aid.

www.newsday.com/opinion/oped/bixhorn-more-state-aid-crucial-to-schools-1.3177274

I took exception:

"I have three issues with Gary Bixhorn's Op-Ed piece:

1. The title "More state aid crucial to schools" is 180 degrees out of phase with the reality of state aid; there is no rational basis for any school district (or BOCES) to pin their hopes on receiving any "More state aid..."

2. Gary Bixhorn is the District Superintendent of Eastern Suffolk BOCES, which is the same official, lawful title held by the heads of all other BOCES in the State. Here's the problem: the Eastern Suffolk BOCES board has bestowed upon Bixhorn the title of "Chief Operating Officer", probably in keeping with fanciful notion that school superintendents are like corporate executives, which of course, they are not. The Western Suffolk BOCES board has bestowed the title of "Chief Executive Officer" on their head guy, although they don't have a full-time head guy at present. The Nassau BOCES head guy still holds and uses the (lawful) title, District Superintendent; his name is Tom Rogers, and he is pulling double duty as the interim ""CEO"" at Western Suffolk BOCES (for NO extra money).

Point is, BOCES should be bringing about best practices among all of their component (county) districts, but yet the 3 LI BOCES can't even follow the law or the rules or the convention of what to call their head guys.

3. This leads me to my final gripe: Bixhorn does not know the correct usage of the words "among" and "between". The state aid formula dispenses money among school districts, not between them. This would be an insignificant and common mistake in diction for non-educators, but not for the District Superintendent, or Chief Operating Officer or Chief Executive Offices of a huge BOCES. Misusing "between" where "among" properly applies should have grated Gary Bixhorn's teeth at the time he wrote this piece, presuming he did actually write it.

In Wantagh, they like to call this kind of discernment 'academic rigor'. "

Now | ChrisWendt"

Chris Wendt

[bewlidered]

I too read the Bixhorn article and I agree with you, Chris. However, Bixhorn is in a unique position. Eastern Suffolk is more like the rest of the rural areas (BOCES) of the great State of New York than it is to Nassau and Western Suffolk. Tiny school districts scattered over vast areas; and where in some districts, the superintendent is also the principal, and yet, Eastern Suffolk also identifies with the rest of the Island simply because of geographics. And well it should, as it is subject to the same socio-economic challenges we, in this region, face. Sadly, Bixhorn's argument is truly yesterday's "news"; where has he been? BOCES is by nature a true cooperative, and is designed to relieve tax payers. Eastern Suffolk is positioned to take the lead on the notion of school district mergers, shared services, and consolidation in order to provide the taxpayers some relief of the overwhelming burdens they carry. From the CEO of Eastern Suffolk, I was hoping for a more insightful, analytical, solution-oriented op-ed. As far as Tom Rogers is concerned, he better be careful in appearing as 'able' to lead both Nassau and Western Sufolk BOCES simultaneously. He may just be awarded a consolidated title as the "Territorial Magnate" of the region. Perhaps he has the time to devote to both corporations now that the new Nassau BOCES Associate Superintendent is perched in the wings and ready to fly!

Now, to the comment about Wantagh and 'academic rigor', Chris, that came out of left field. Despite what we are all struggling through in this town and in this School District, I am still proud of what our schools are producing. I attended both the Middle School and High School "Back to School" nights and I was impressed with what my children's teachers presented to me. What did I hear and see? Accomplished, bright, articulate, passionate, intelligent, well-spoken teachers who also seemed very much attuned to the students they are teaching and truly interested in the well-being of my children. They were all so 'real' and down-to-earth, and caring. But I also walked away with a positive sense of hope and encouragement that my kids were in really good hands. And then yesterday, my kids were so well cared for during the lock-down, that I disagreeumptions were proven true. I am really happy that I live in this town and that I send my kids to these schools. As far as 'academic rigor', I think we are really doing well and moving in the right direction; as far as adult human beings who care about my kids while they teach them for 7 plus hours a day and keep them calm and safe in emergencies, well as the commercial says, that's "priceless"

[bewlidered]

sorry about the typo in line 23..."I disagreeumptions" should read, 'I disagreeumptions'

[bewlidered]

yikes!!! guess I am really 'bewlidered' after working two jobs; it should read "I disagreeumptions"

[Chris_Wendt]

Bewildered observed: "Now, to the comment about Wantagh and 'academic rigor', Chris, that came out of left field. Despite what we are all struggling through in this town and in this School District, I am still proud of what our schools are producing."

Please recognize that my comment about academic rigor in Wantagh was published on Newsday.com and was intended to be in stark contrast with Mr. Bixhorn's lack of personal academic rigor.

No slight of academic rigor here in Wantagh was implied or intended. Sorry if you perceived it that way.

Regards

Chris Wendt