Archive: Opinions

I am saddened and frustrated to read about the dire consequences, outlined in the Lansing Star's recent online issue , to schools and children caused by reductions in state aid to local education efforts.  It sounds like Lansing may not be in bad shape until 2011-2012 when a 12% tax hike may be necessary just to maintain programs for students (….a burden that could come to a more than 12% rise on the taxpayers.

The Star's second article about Fall Creek Elementary shows the true impact of how dwindling funds in Ithaca may force them to close a cherished neighborhood school in order to save the quality of programs and services across the district.

What a shame that New Roots Charter School now draws approximately $75,000 from Lansing this year to pay for the five students who go there (Invoiced total on 5 students = $68,161.50 + bussing $1700 + Supplies $1325 + School nurse $3333).  (Shown by FOIL of invoices and approximate costs for school nurse, supplies and bussing students to downtown Ithaca)  Since their efforts to attract 125 students from Ithaca has fallen far short of their actual number to date ( 50 Ithaca students invoice March 1, 2010 obtained by FOIL of 2/1/10), serious recruitment efforts will target Lansing as a members of its school board, its business manager and the Star have been so supportive of this school thus far. (Lansing Star article ) 

But let's just imagine that NR continues to grow according to their charter and next year Lansing has 10 students there, 15 the following year.  During 2011-2012, Lansing will get a bill from New Roots of at least $225,000.  This kind of capital can be used to set up one super alternative program at Lansing High School for these 15 students!  In addition, they would have the benefit and the support of the excellent facilities and many extras offered by a well funded and highly respected school district. 

Oh, but wait, the Lansing School Board will not have the funds to create such a program because it will be mandated to send these funds to New Roots.  What a shame, really. Lansing can provide for all of its students, those with round or square needs, if it has the vision to initiate programs to serve those high school students that seek an alternative form of education.  Come on Lansing, you can do it!  You have excellent, visionary teachers, ample resources and eager students who want a choice.  Get going on this for the sake of your kids and your district.  Perhaps Dryden, Groton and others would like to help as they also have a handful of students in New Roots this year.

Pat Ehrich
Ithaca, NY


Editor's note:  I stand by the articles on New Roots, including the part on the so-called 'Coalition for Sustainable Schools' in the third part of the recent series on New Roots.  The main story is the success New Roots students are realizing in their school, while the virulent attacks on the school would be a footnote if the local press as a whole put them into the context of the overall story.

It is true that Lansing has wonderful teachers and remarkable schools.  But small rural school systems can't be all things to all students.  And the possible closing of Fall Creek can't reasonably be blamed on the existance of a charter school, certainly not without looking at all the factors influencing the decision.  Just as BOCES offers an economy of scale (which our districts pay plenty for) New Roots is serving a small percentage of students from Lansing and other districts that their home schools couldn't.  Whether the tuition is a loss to the school system or money that would have been spent on those students anyway depends on who you talk to.

That Lansing school officials have said that they don't view New Roots as a threat is significant.  Top officials have characterized it as an experiment that may yield new or better ideas that Lansing can use in the future.  None has intimated that they see New Roots High School and Lansing High School as competitors, nor have New Roots officials.  That New Roots seems to be a school where these children have better opportunities to be academically successful is the story.

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