Post by Chris_Wendt on Jan 28, 2016 14:31:16 GMT -5
...once again ground was broken this month in Mineola for a 36,000 square foot Science, Technology & Research Center on the campus of Chaminade High School.
In many ways, this new, state-of-the art Science Center, is akin to many public magnet schools, you know, area or regional schools that serve more than just one tiny little district, like a Wantagh or a Seaford or a Plainedge or an Island Trees, but rather a group of school districts, for instance, an amalgamation of Wantagh, Seaford, Plainedge and Island Trees, you know, all pooling resources together. That is because Chaminade draws its student body from school districts all across Long Island.
Every school district that sends students to Chaminade pays roughly $6,000- $7,000 per Chaminade student, annually, for transportation, textbooks, health and other state-mandated services. Of course, no public school district "sends" student to Chaminade; their parents send Chaminade it student body.
But what prevents Wantagh, Seaford, Plainedge, and Island Trees from collectively pooling resources to build a state-of-the-art Science, Technology & Research Center on the scale of what Chaminade is doing?
Unions? Ineptitude on the part of Nassau BOCES? Lack of vision on the part of local school boards? Lack of "Vision" among the cadre of school superintendents? A love affair with the status quo? A stilted State Education Department & calcified Board of Regents? Poor planning, bad budgeting, and misplaced priorities by our State Legislature & Governor? Lack of will or organization among parents?
To the last point, the answer is a resounding "No!" There are plenty of parents with both the resolve and an organization to build such a Science, Technology & Research Center: they are the parents and grandparents of Chaminade's current student body from all across the Island and our alumni from all over the country.
Food for thought, Wantagh.
Regards,
Chris Wendt
chriswendt117@gmail.com
In many ways, this new, state-of-the art Science Center, is akin to many public magnet schools, you know, area or regional schools that serve more than just one tiny little district, like a Wantagh or a Seaford or a Plainedge or an Island Trees, but rather a group of school districts, for instance, an amalgamation of Wantagh, Seaford, Plainedge and Island Trees, you know, all pooling resources together. That is because Chaminade draws its student body from school districts all across Long Island.
Every school district that sends students to Chaminade pays roughly $6,000- $7,000 per Chaminade student, annually, for transportation, textbooks, health and other state-mandated services. Of course, no public school district "sends" student to Chaminade; their parents send Chaminade it student body.
But what prevents Wantagh, Seaford, Plainedge, and Island Trees from collectively pooling resources to build a state-of-the-art Science, Technology & Research Center on the scale of what Chaminade is doing?
Unions? Ineptitude on the part of Nassau BOCES? Lack of vision on the part of local school boards? Lack of "Vision" among the cadre of school superintendents? A love affair with the status quo? A stilted State Education Department & calcified Board of Regents? Poor planning, bad budgeting, and misplaced priorities by our State Legislature & Governor? Lack of will or organization among parents?
To the last point, the answer is a resounding "No!" There are plenty of parents with both the resolve and an organization to build such a Science, Technology & Research Center: they are the parents and grandparents of Chaminade's current student body from all across the Island and our alumni from all over the country.
Food for thought, Wantagh.
Regards,
Chris Wendt
chriswendt117@gmail.com