Greenwood Lake student transfer ad stirs debate

Warwick - Local school superintendents are responding to a full-page advertisement critical of a plan to transfer students to Warwick Valley High School. The transfer plan involves taking approximately 320 Greenwood Lake students who attend high school in Tuxedo and transferring them to Warwick. Dr. Frank Greenhall, superintendent at Warwick, has written a five-page response to the ad, which was paid for by the Tuxedo Union Free School District, accusing the advertisement of being part of a campaign which constitutes “a compilation of half truths and misinformation.” (The full text of the superintendent’s letter appears online at www.warwickadvertiser.com.) The advertisement, which was designed to coincide with its publication during Halloween, ran with a banner headline which read, “Trick, or Treat?” The ad commented on the transfer proposal by suggesting that all information on the plan has not been heard. In describing the transfer the ad reads: “The tuition agreement that is being proposed ... may seem like a ‘treat’ for the community, but beware of the tricky details.” Overcrowding, larger class sizes, minimal financial benefit and the disapproval of Greenwood Lake students constitute the reasons against moving the pupils to Warwick, according to the advertisement. Vote comes Dec. 12 At the heart of this debate is the question which asks: Should the approximately 320 students who live in Greenwood Lake, who currently attend high school in Tuxedo, be transferred and educated Warwick? At stake, amongst other things, is a public vote on Dec. 12 when voters in both Warwick and Greenwood Lake will give their opinion on the matter. Greenhall responded directly to the claims made by Tuxedo in his letter and sent a request to those who intend to vote on the referendum. Greenhall wrote: “All I ask is that you not be swayed, persuaded or influenced by others who have ulterior motives and objectives.” While Greenhall did admit that 46 of 816 classes on Warwick High School’s schedule have more than 30 students, he strenuously denies this represents an overcrowding problem. “It is also true that there are 64 classes of 10 or fewer students,” wrote Greenhall. “Thus, balancing of classes is a high priority of the administration to correct, and numerous actions have already gone into effect to rectify this situation for the fall.” Public hearing on Nov. 26 In a review of both the demographics of Warwick’s general population and the predicted student enrollment in the coming years, Greenhall believes that even if Greenwood Lake students are transferred, the number of students at the high school will, over time, decrease. According to Greenhall’s figures, the total number of students will increase by approximately 26 on the current total (1,645 students) in the year 2010-11 when all Greenwood Lake students would have transferred in. That student total, however, would drop by 141 just two years later if Greenhall’s numbers are accurate. The plea by Tuxedo school officials for voters to reject the transfer proposal is, at least, understandable; they have a lot to lose. One of those other things at stake in this issue is the vacuum left behind in Tuxedo if these students no longer attend school there. George F. Baker High School in Tuxedo currently has around 400 pupils, 320 of those students live in Greenwood Lake and it is those students who are earmarked for transfer. John Guarracino, superintendent of school in Greenwood Lake, recognizes the tough position Tuxedo is in but he doesn’t believe that justifies the approach taken in the advertisement. Guarracino mirrored the response by Warwick’s superintendent by also issuing a written response following the ad’s publication. Guarracino wrote: “I certainly can understand the concern that the Tuxedo School District has about the possible loss of 80% of its high school students, but I cannot understand why they would make these accusations.” Guarracino also focused on the referendum to decide the issue in his letter: “I would ask that you look at all the facts and not be swayed by slick advertising meant only to prey on your fears.” The Superintendent of Schools in Tuxedo, Joe Zanetti, responded to the letters issued by his counterparts. “I certainly don’t believe we have misinformed anyone,” said Zanetti, “We wanted to alert the public and sensitize community members so that they can ask questions.” Zanetti remained firm in his view that insufficient information has been given by Greenhall and Guarracino; that not everything that could be public has been made public. Zanetti said, “What are they not saying that they know? What they have been saying is no basis for voters to decide upon.” Zanetti pointed to the example that no firm agreement has been made on the costs of tuitioning special education students. Greenhall has said that tentative agreement has been made with Guarracino that responsibility will lie with Greenwood Lake for the costs of educating special ed. students from their town. Zanetti said, “If they can say one price [$6800 per student without special needs] then, if they’ve been talking for around 19 months, they should be able to give at least a range of what it might cost for special education students.” Prior to the vote, a public hearing will be held on this subject in the Dorothy Wilson Education Center on Monday, Nov. 26 beginning at 7 p.m.