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LET'S MAKE A KINGSTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT (KCSD) THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE!
Do you question KCSD's abrupt decision to end the public Montessori program at George Washington Elementary School (GW)?
In June, the KCSD Board of Education voted—without agenda listing, other public notice, or community debate—to eliminate the Montessori program. This significant vote took place unannounced, across town at the School Board meeting, while GW families were attending “Family Engagement Night.” This also happened while GW's Building Leadership Team had been mysteriously disbanded. This vote has blindsided and deeply dismayed many in the extended GW community, with concerns including lack of transparency and stakeholder inclusion in KCSD decisions.
Do you think KCSD stakeholders including parents, students and school staff should have greater effective voice in KCSD decisions?
Also in June, KCSD publicized its Shared Decision Making Plan--without plan approval from committee members, without notice to committee members of the upcoming or passed approving Board of Education vote, without notice to committee members of the website posting, and despite earlier repeated objections from committee members about draft processes and plan content.
If you share any of these concerns - GIVE YOUR NEEDED IMMEDIATE SUPPORT and DONATE to this Save Montessori and Make KCSD Fair Fund!
Ending Montessori - What's At Stake
The vote to end the Montessori program is not just about the loss of one program. It’s about wasted taxpayer investment, eliminated educational choice, upheaval of school community, and an alarming lack of inclusion and transparency by public officials.
- More than a decade of public investment—gone. Montessori materials, teacher certifications, and program and staff development—all of it is being scrapped, without adequate review of the program and community input.
- No more choice for elementary educational method. This coming school year, every KCSD elementary school will follow the same scripted curriculum (CKLA), which leans heavily toward auditory and sequential learners. But what about tactile, kinesthetic, and visual-spatial learners? Montessori offers a hands-on, constructivist approach that KCSD community members sought more than a decade ago as an alternative for children with different learning styles and has benefitted many KCSD students and families.
- A fractured school community for students, families and staff. Superintendent Dr. Padalino recently announced that 10 teacher positions are being cut districtwide, and that “a good number” of these positions may come from GW. We would be at a loss to say goodbye to our valued Montessori trained educators. In addition, ending the Montessori program would forcibly scatter many students, severing developed relationships among students, families, teachers and other staff. These losses could hamper GW's unique vibrant school culture built over years.
- Enabling KCSD to make more decisions on their own and behind closed doors. The rationale behind KCSD's decision to end the Montessori program was “backed” by data which KCSD will not allow community members to review by a third party. This vote will give them the runway to make additional decisions across the school district without any accountability.
Let’s Build A Better KCSD System!
KCSD's actions regarding the Montessori program as well as the Shared Decision Making Plan not only put many GW families and teachers in a tough place considering their future, they highlight broad fundamental issues of power and accountability which impact ALL KCSD stakeholders.
We, a group of KCSD stakeholders gravely concerned about these KCSD actions and their impacts, are adding to past stakeholder efforts striving for a better school system which upholds inclusion and transparency by taking the following unprecedented actions.
Our Legal Strategy:
Stop the Dismantling of Montessori NOW. Hold KCSD Accountable NOW.
We are filing an Appeal to the New York State Commissioner of Education, requesting:
- A stay on KCSD's decision to discontinue the Montessori program—halt the changes now.
- A declaration that KCSD's current Shared Decision Making Plan—passed through a similar backdoor process as the Montessori vote —is in violation of state regulations.
- A requirement for KCSD to restart the Shared Decision Making Plan process with independent facilitation and true stakeholder involvement.
- A requirement for KCSD to initiate a transparent, inclusive and data-informed review of the Montessori program.
This is NOT a lawsuit. It is an Appeal up the chain of command to the state level, asking them to step in and weigh in on this case.
This Appeal process could clarify and tighten loopholes in the rules which are meant to ensure public schools are responsive to the public they serve. Action taken through this Appeal could specifically help close a loophole that some administrators across New York have used to cut teachers, parents and students out of decision-making. If this Appeal is successful, Kingston could help set a statewide precedent—one that ensures community voice in public education.
Your donation to this Save Montessori and Make KCSD Fair Fund will help pay for:
- Professional legal filing and support services used to carry out this Appeal.
- Community outreach activities in digital formats used to spread the word and advocate for this Appeal.
Any remaining funds will be used to support the launch of a United PTO Council—a new grassroots community-based structure that brings parents, students and teachers across schools together to share resources, advocate effectively, and build a districtwide culture of collaboration.
Contact a listed Organizer for questions/concerns regarding this GoFundMe initiative.
Co-organizers (2)
Andrea L
Organizer
Kingston, NY
Britta Riley
Co-organizer