In a 4 to 2 vote the Farmingdale Board of Education at their Feb. 3 meeting adopted a resolution to move the sixth grade classes to the middle school starting in September 2001. The board also voted unanimously to endorse the establishment of a full day kindergarten and have reduced class sizes in the primary grades.

Board Trustee William Barrett, as one of the two members who voted against a sixth, seventh and eighth grade middle school, said that although this move would benefit some students, it would hurt others. "Those who are successful will adapt," he said. "Those who do not do well will have a tougher time adjusting. Kids who are not ready for this move need not be rushed into middle school." He said that there is no conclusive evidence that sixth graders perform better in middle school than in elementary school, that the elementary school music program would be adversely affected, and that the district would lose the sixth grade graduation ceremony.

In describing her reasons for voting for the move, Board President Josephine Macchia stated that we envision our students growing at great speeds, and that we need to prepare them for the assessments ahead. "The move is difficult in the beginning," she said, "with social issues at the forefront. But if we thought it was a detriment to children, we would not do this."

She stated that with the more, there will be more opportunities for instruction. She also said that there are size considerations. "Some of our elementary schools are almost bigger (in enrollment) than Howitt."

Farmingdale Schools Superintendent Gerard W. Dempsey Jr. stated that all students will be expected to meet one similar standard for graduation. There are more rigorous requirements throughout the K through 12 program. The assessment structure has also changed, and outcomes are now measured at the end of eighth grade.

Because of time concerns regarding necessary construction and the current fourth graders being the first class to move to the middle school in sixth grade, the date for the move was changed from Sept. 2000 to September 2001; so the current third graders would be the first sixth graders in Howitt. Since the sixth grade move, full day kindergarten and reduced class size in the primary grades were all approved by the board, the construction plans will need to provide for all these changes. A bond issue to cover the construction will likely be presented to the public for a vote.

The reaction of the parents and residents in the audience was mixed.

One parent said that the child who is not succeeding now will be lost in the middle school. Macchia responded that the pupil personnel support staff are second to none in our school district and that we identify those students who are not succeeding even now and provide the staff to help them.

Another parent said that she was in agreement with all three decisions made by the board. She stated that there is not enough time in a 2 and 1/2 hour kindergarten program, and that there will be more for her son to experience in the middle school. "The only anxiety is the anxiety of the parents," she said.

Also at the meeting, revising the mission of the Citizen's Advisory Council was discussed. Currently, this group discusses and advises on Occupational Education issues. The board discussed renaming the council to the Citizen's Advisory Council on Career Education and expand its role to emphasize career related issues and the seven learning standards for career development from grades kindergarten through 12th.

In addition, Dr. William Fanning, assistant superintendent of Farmingdale schools for business, discussed the preliminary state budget proposal by Gov. Pataki and Superintendent Dempsey discussed the Youth Council proposal to change the dates and times of their summer program.