Homeschool issue has open forum

by Kathleen Duff
Grand Island Dispatch, March 14, 2008

A subcommittee of the Grand Island Board of Education held a public forum Wednesday, March 12, at the Veronica E. Connor Middle School Little Theatre to hear opinions on whether or not homeschooled children should be allowed to participate in non-credit bearing extracurricular activities. Board President Richard Little, Vice President Jim Hanna and Trustee Tom Franz heard three minutes worth of comments from each person signed up to speak.

The issue was raised back in the fall when Grand Island resident and homeschooling parent R.J. Wynne spoke with Superintendent Robert Christmann and subsequently kept the topic in front of the Board of Education at many of its regular meetings. Wynne and his two school-age children spoke again at this forum, reiterating many of the same points he has previously voiced to trustees.

Most of the other people who also spoke Wednesday voiced similar comments, including the following general points:

•Homeschooling families pay school tax as do all Island homeowners and should be entitled to use some of the money they have spent.

•The district would not have to pay for transportation.

•Parents would be accommodating toward whatever discipline policies teachers and coaches would set.

•Every Island child should have equal access to public facilities.

Retired Buffalo schoolteacher Catherine Stefan remarked that allowing homeschoolers’ participation would be a winning situation. “I feel it is important that our children get as much education as possible … It’s broadening their education. I am in favor.”

Local insurance agent Bob Piatek said, “When I think about it, I am generally supportive, because I cannot think of anything that the board would come up with that would not make it possible.”

The only voice of dissent at the meeting came from retired school board member and teacher Lee Cohen who said, “I am going against the tide.” She expanded that by stating if the board uses its prerogative to allow homeschoolers into extracurriculars, it is opening “a Pandora’s Box” of possible contention and litigation, including recordkeeping, fairness to all students, discipline procedures and teacher responsibility. She said that parents have made a deliberate choice not to send their children to public schools, and that they also have many other choices to round out their education, such as the town recreation department, YMCA programs and community centers.

The Board of Education will make a final decision on this issue at its March 31 meeting.