The Farmingdale Board of Education on Jan. 27 held a special meeting/grade six public hearing. The purpose of the meeting was to receive public input regarding the possible move of the sixth grade to the middle school, and although the turnout was small, those who came related their strong opinions and feelings about the topic.

Superintendent of Schools Gerard W. Dempsey, Jr., began the meeting with a summary of the facts that have led the board to consider this move. He stated that as the enrollment of the Farmingdale School District grew during the 1990's, the district was able to provide the additional classrooms by taking back rooms and spaces that had been housing other services, such as Head Start and the Senior's Center. About one year ago, the board started considering different program options that would be part of a general plan to take the school district into the future, and moving the sixth graders to Howitt Middle School was explored as a possible piece of that plan; one that would begin when the present fourth graders are in sixth grade. Program options, building construction issues, child developmental concerns, staffing concerns and other issues were discussed during the board meetings and information meetings that were held throughout the fall.

Dempsey stated that the school district administration had recommended the sixth grade move to the board because the enhanced program they would receive in the middle school could prepare them better for the new state eighth grade tests and the new high school demands. The question is, he said, "Are the program benefits worth the cost of the investment? Can the community support this?"

One of the main concerns that was expressed by community residents and parents was whether sixth graders actually belong in the same educational facility as seventh and eighth graders. Would they be bused to school if they live within one mile of the school? (School Board President Josephine Macchia stated that the public would need to vote on this issue, that the board could not make that decision.) Some parents stated that the sixth graders should remain in the elementary schools, and that their programs should be enhanced there. This, they said, would be the least disruptive option for the students, and they would continue to feel a sense of community. Others stated that sixth graders are just not ready for the move.

Dempsey explained that although foreign language could be brought to the sixth graders in the elementary schools, the way the school day is structured means that something must be taken away to do that. Also, the technology and the home and career labs are in the middle school, not in the elementary schools.

Arleen Besner, principal of Howitt Middle School, stated that teachers have become very sensitized to the adjustment issues at the middle school, and that the "elementary school climate" would continue to grow at the middle school level, creating a nurturing environment for the sixth graders. "We have a strong orientation program," she said. "And we would compound it for the younger children; connect them with the older children, walk through the halls, meet the teachers."

Some parents were concerned that the present fourth graders already are being singled out as the recipients of changes from the state, and therefore under some stress. Others agreed with Board Trustee Dr. Dolores Saxton, who stated that in her discussions with fourth grade girls, none showed any hesitancy about starting middle school in sixth grade.

One resident addressed a concern that many sixth grade teachers may not be willing to move to the middle school; that they were invested in their elementary school buildings. Teachers with less seniority who may have been teaching first grade may be the ones who will be teaching the sixth graders in the middle school. Dempsey stated that since the state is encouraging middle school configurations, there will be waivers of certification that will allow 7th and 8th grade teachers to teach 6th grade, and vice versa. He said that a seniority system would probably be used. The teachers would receive proper support and training to help integrate the elementary school experience with the middle school experience.

Discipline problems on the school buses was another concern for some parents. School Board President Macchia was adamant that children must be accountable for their actions no matter what age, and that discipline problems need to be brought to the attention of the administration and the transportation department.

Other residents were concerned about the cost of additional staff, transportation needs and building construction. The district would need to float a bond to cover the building costs, but state aid is 57 percent on school building construction costs. One resident asked if there would still be construction costs if the sixth graders did not move to the middle school. Dempsey replied that in planning for the long range goals of the district, if class sizes are reduced in the primary grades and if full day kindergarten is implemented, these factors along with enrollment growth would necessitate a bond issue to provide for that cost. There was also a concern that a bond may be defeated in the voting, which would postpone these plans.

One resident who spoke in favor of the plan stated that the education of today cannot be compared with the way it was 20 years ago. "The educational standards did not require the space that is needed today for cooperative learning and computer labs. The educational benefits of the middle school are remarkable," she said. "I urge you to think not what if something doesn't happen, but where do we want to go and how do we get there from here? what resources do we need?, with all the challenges going on in education." She agreed that a bond issue was the right way to do it, "to make best use of a good economic year."

Board Trustee Troy Rosasco said, "I believe that if we brought a bond to the public, we would have to do it including construction needs for full day kindergarten and reduced class size. I don't think we should go forward without a bond."

"We are at a crossroads," said Board President Macchia. "We must plan for (our students') future education, which must involve funds for expansion of programs and buildings. We have to plan for the future, not just for the fourth graders, but for the children who have yet to come to us."