Kids, Parents Defend Schools' University Programs

Students, graduates and parents delivered a singular message to the regional school board Monday night: don't alter the University Programs.

Speaker after speaker addressed the board's proposal to open three of six programs—Theater Arts, Communications and Information Technology—to any student as an elective, starting with the Class of 2015, by sharing personal experiences about the unique nature of the concentrated academic programs.

"The program gives students a competitive edge," said Information Technology student Ross Lazarus. "It simply doesn't make sense to open up the University Programs."

The board, which is likely to vote on the proposal at its Sept. 27 meeting, reiterated its rationale for altering the three programs and addressed criticisms it felt were misguided.

Board President Wayne Peterson said the Education Committee of the board, which developed the proposal, has the "belief and hope there would be increased interest" in the three programs, which generally have had lower enrollment than the three that would be untouched by the proposal—International Studies and Business, Science Medicine and Research, Engineering and Design.

Superintendent Dr. C. Lauren Schoen agreed, saying the Education Committee "thinks this decision is properly viewed as expanding elective opportunities."

Speakers said that doing so would mean the end of the programs.

Opening the programs to all "effectively kills the program" said Elizabeth Babish, a 2006 Ramapo Theater Arts graduate.

Steven Rodriguez, a Ramapo junior, said the proposal reveals a "failure of the Board of Education to understand what the University Program is.

The "beauty of the U.P." is that students receive specialized attention in an area of interest, with a four-year commitment that guarantees the pupils are truly interested in the subject area. Conversely, Rodriguez said electives often "cater to the lowest common denominator."

Babish agreed, saying University Program students "don't want to be in a class... with someone who just wants to goof around."

Education Committee members have said that lower enrollment makes it hard to justify the exclusive nature of the three targeted programs, which require a four-year commitment by students. Eighth-graders interested in a course of study must have at least a "B" average and submit an essay before a vetting committee that grants admission into the honors-level courses. 

The committee's judgment "was that in these three programs, flexibility (as electives) outweighed the question of commitment and mandate," said Ira Belsky, a member of the Education Committee.

Current data shows that there are 14, 15 and 14 freshmen enrolled in the Communications, Theater Arts and Information Technology programs, respectively. Engineering, Science and Business drew greater numbers among the Class of 2014, with 21, 19 and 16 students, respectively. Furthermore, the number of freshmen applicants shows greater interest in the three unaffected programs, with 22 students applying for Theater; 23 for Communications; 23 for Information Technology; 38 for Engineering; 40 for Business; and 43 for Science.

However, board members have said that their proposal doesn't rest solely on the current class enrollments. Data on the number of students within the past six classes to take University Programs shows greater enrollment among the three unaffected programs. For example, 42 students have taken Communications from the Class of 2009 to the Class of 2014; 46 in Theater; 53 in Information Technology; 62 in Engineering; 65 in Science; and 94 in Business.

Belsky said the Education Committee's reviews would be ongoing, as there are "no preferred group of classes here."   

Many of the speakers said the board has to answer for lower enrollment, saying the open houses for eighth-graders are often disorganized and unprofessional. They called for more marketing of Theater, Communications and Information Technology.

"The marketing has been lacking," said parent Terri Alhmeyer.

Kathy Jager, the president of UPTAC, the parents' group that supports Theater and Communications students, said she "strongly believes the enrollment is low because of the marketing." She offered the parents' help and suggested questionnaires can be developed for interested eighth-graders to fill out, ensuring a more targeted response from the administration.

Tom Madigan of Wyckoff, a former board member, said the "message is not clear" at the open houses, while an Oakland resident told the board that parents walk away from such sessions with the impression that the targeted programs are "not as serious" as the others.

Board members bristled at the suggestion that a targeted effort should be made to boost enrollment in Theater, Communications and Information Technology.

"We are not a marketing organization," Belsky said. After 10 years of University Programs, Belsky doesn't accept the notion that enrollment would be greater if the board simply advertised them more effectively. Furthermore, he would be "horrified" to see any efforts to direct students to a particular program.

"The district offers an enormous array of programs," Belsky said.

Peterson told the crowd that "all prospective students should be properly informed of the opportunities available. The concept of trying to convince incoming students of anything different is unacceptable."

The board also has argued that programs exclusive to only some students cannot be maintained without a critical mass of interest. Speakers argued that it is the exclusive nature of the programs that make them special.

The highly regarded students have helped graduates "stand out," Alhmeyer said.

Katie Brennan, the board's representative from Ramapo, said the University Program "has been the best part of my high school experience.

"It would be a shame to lose these really special programs."

Several parents read letters from their children, who say they arrived at college better prepared than their classmates because of the University Programs.

"If these programs cease to exist, the lack of specialization, and ultimately personalization, available to students in Ramapo and Indian Hills will prevent career-oriented students within our district from flourishing to their fullest potential," wrote Francesca Toscano, a 2010 Ramapo graduate and Ithaca College student.

"I stand out a little bit than other college applicants," Lazarus said.

Kevin Macchia, a Ramapo junior, said the students have "developed a special bond" that would be broken by opening the programs as electives. Felicia Sparozic, also a Ramapo junior, has argued that the younger students depend on the guidance of the upper classmen and the unity of the program would be upset by the proposal.

Janet Millstein, whose son attends Ramapo, told the board she "knows this (UP) helps to elevate our high schools."

"You'd have to be crazy to change these programs," said Dan Hartigan of Wyckoff.

Some suggested that the board hold several more hearings on the matter before acting. However, the board has indicated it would like to make a decision in advance of the October open houses for eighth-graders, with a vote likely at the Sept. 27 meeting, planned for Ramapo High School.