East Rockaway schools considering grade realignment
Known as the Princeton Plan, the proposal would group kids in schools by grade, not by which building is closest to where they live.
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One Nassau County school district is considering a plan to shake up which schools students attend.
The East Rockaway School District currently has two schools that serve Kindergarten through sixth grade: Rhame Avenue and Centre Avenue elementary schools.
According to a district spokesperson, Rhame Avenue School has an enrollment of 324 students, while Centre Avenue has 255.
The realignment would transform one into a Kindergarten through third primary building and the other into a fourth through sixth intermediate building, according to East Rockaway Superintendent of Schools James DeTommaso, who addressed the Board of Education during a meeting last month.
"Our top priority has always been providing students with the best possible education," DeTommaso said in a statement to News 12. "We are currently in the planning and discovery phase, and no decisions have been made at this time. Community input will play a critical role in determining whether we move forward, and we will share a draft proposal for community feedback after the holidays."
The concept, known as the Princeton Plan, has become increasingly popular among schools across Long Island seeking new ways to reduce spending and address declining enrollment numbers.
Some community members said they have no concerns about the potential change.
"No complaints," East Rockaway's Vivian Puccio said. "Great school. Great teachers, the principal. It's almost like family when you come here."
Some parents have expressed concerns about the proposal. They worry about the impact the change could have on their young kids moving to new schools, how they'll navigate having multiple kids in different schools at once and what transportation issues could arise.
"I'd like them to stay where they are and not change anything," East Rockaway resident Rick Cadus said. "If it's been working all these years, why change it now?"
Last night, DeTommaso addressed the board once again.
He stressed that a committee of educators and administrators has been working this year to come up with a draft plan, which they will present to the public, likely after the holidays.
"There will be more information to come," he said last night. "I will be completely transparent about it."
DeTommaso said the district is eying January or February of next year for when they will hold town hall sessions where parents can weigh in.
