Contentious Debate Continues Over Nyack High School's Closed Campus Policy

Vehement parents, snide comments, defensive students and accusations that the School Board violated policy.

Yesterday evening's public meeting regarding Nyack High School's closed campus policy proved the issue is indeed a polarizing one—and spurred many administrators, parents and students to voice their opinions, sometimes aggressively.

The decision to close Nyack High School's campus for a two-month trial period, which will prevent underclassmen from leaving school grounds during class hours, was reached on July 6. And everything—from the price tag to how the decision was reached—has become a hot-button issue. Each facet was addressed, argued over, defended and attacked at last night's meeting.

Why close the campus?

Because students are failing, according to Nyack High School principal Joseph Spero.

The meeting began with school officials showing a PowerPoint presentation that broke down the number of students in Nyack Schools that are failing. Some of the numbers were low (approximately 17 percent of high school seniors), and others high (approximately 30 percent of seventh graders).

Officials noted the highest level of failure occurs in the ninth and tenth grades (some 102 freshmen failed last year, according to the presentation).

These numbers acted as the major impetus for closing the campus to underclassmen on a trial basis, officials said.

What a closed campus entails

Closing a campus isn't as simple as penning a new rule and announcing it over the loudspeaker. Last night's meeting discussed how, and to what extent, the policy will be carried out.

"We'll need additional staff to enforce the policy," Spero said. Spero noted the school is currently seeking employees to act as security guards, although no set number of guards has been settled on.

The guards will also be equipped with walkie-talkies and handheld electronic devices that display students' schedules, and students will be required to carry ID cards, Spero added.

Also a part of the pilot program: surveillance cameras.

"Security cameras will be installed inside and outside the building," Spero said. Additionally, the school will build up its facilities to accommodate a larger on-campus population; the outdoor patio and cafeteria will receive upgrades.

So far, the school has taken many steps toward reaching these ends. The administration has begun interviewing for the security guard positions, and the guards' walkie-talkies have been ordered. So have the surveillance cameras—all that's left is installation.   

Spero also noted other measures are on the horizon, like a security booth at the main entrance to campus and a swipe card system for student IDs.

The School Board speaks

The School Board—which voted to close the campus on a trial basis by a 5-2 margin—remains split.

"I'd like to see figures of cutting and truancy at schools with closed campuses, and compare them to ours," School Board member Thomas LaColla said. "This [new] policy will lead students to cut school for a full day, rather than just a period."

Board member Bryan Burrell originally voted to close the campus, but recently questioned his decision.

"I should not have voted to close the campus, even on a pilot basis," he said. "I should have recommended they put a plan in place, and then voted."

"I've received several calls about the lack of notice and process [in which the decision was reached]," Burrell added. "I have not made a final determination for the issue, and look forward to further input from students, parents and community members."

Board president Michael P. Lagana took a different stance.

"What is the benefit of allowing 14 and 15-year-olds to leave campus?" he asked. "What is the risk?"

"No one is suggesting this pilot program is the magic cure all," he added. "It's a process. Why is it that a pilot program is met with such intolerance?"

Parents weigh in

Following Spero's overview and School Board members' input, the floor was opened to public comment—and parents from either side of the issue jumped to the microphone.

"I think we need to remember… change is not an event, it's a process," said James Marshall, a parent of students in the school district. "And it may not be a neat and clean process."

"We do need… this policy," Marshall added. "Look at the failure rates."

Other parents sided with Marshall, citing the school's responsibility of keeping a close watch on its students. One parent noted her son is failing and recently left school grounds to smoke marijuana—and the school's new policy may help to remedy these transgressions.

But not all parents adhere to these philosophies. Amy Applebaum, a former school board president and the parent of two Nyack students, had other qualms.

"My issue is not the policy, but the way the policy was reached," she said. The School Board passed the resolution with limited parent and student counsel.

Applebaum noted she had never seen the board operate this way, and they violated several School Board policies in the process.

"[Trustees] came in with a resolution ready to go for an item not even on the agenda," Applebaum added.

Many parents offered up other possible solutions that could replace the policy, including: closing the campus only for ninth graders, holding off entirely and conducting more research, instituting a waiver program and/or only allowing students with high marks to leave campus.

Students' voices

Input from those most affected by the policy—the students themselves—was heard, as well. The school board's student representative, Alex Satawa, spoke on the behalf of many students.

"A lot of students are against it," he said. "I'd like to see it reversed."

"I think there's a huge educational value [to leaving campus]," Satawa added. "A lot of us are going to be going off to college in four years, or less; we're going to need to to learn how to budget our time."

Satawa expressed anxiety about nearby local eateries, too.

"I can't imagine how much business [these restaurants] get from students who go off campus for lunch," he said. "These are small businesses in the community, not big corporations. I'd hate to see them suffer."

Also present were Nyack High School juniors Lauren Gerber and Emma Caster-Dudzick—they, too, are opposed to the new policy.

"You're punishing the good kids for things the bad kids have done," Gerber said.

"It will cause more problems," Caster-Dudzick added. "Kids will rebel by not showing up [to school], leaving anyway or acting up on campus."

What's next

The closed campus pilot program will run until the end of October—but the School Board noted the trial period may be extended, or ended, depending on data and input.

"It's in our power to reconsider," said School Board vice president Michael Mark.