New 5x5 schedule causes stir

Diane Lloyd is upset about the 5x5 schedule the Syracuse City School District implemented this year. She came to the Syracuse Board of Education meeting tonight to let commissioners know it.

         The 5x5 schedule extended the school day from four periods to five this year and got rid of afterschool help. Students take an elective, and have a free period to meet with teachers during the day, Lloyd’s son A.J, said.

A.J. Lloyd misses class at the end of the day to compete in golf matches for Corcoran High School, Diane Lloyd said.  A.J. needs 50 hours of physical activity. It's required for International Baccalaureate, an honors program he's in.

 “I’d hate to have a kid put in a position where he has to choose between a sport and a class.” Diane Lloyd said.

Ed O’Rourke, the Treasurer of the Syracuse Teacher’s Association, sees problems with the schedule too.

 “Now they have too much free time because additional staff wasn’t hired to teach additional class.”

Many teachers and students can’t meet because their schedules conflict, A.J. Lloyd said.

 “We’re allowing kids more electives and more support than they’ve ever had before” Superintendent Dan Lowengard told reporters after the meeting. Lowengard said changes would be made to accommodate people like A.J. Lloyd.

 “People don’t like change, change is tough. We need to give it time” Brian Nolan, the Syracuse director of High School, said.

            Even A.J. Lloyd says he sees positives.  “Mechanical engineering is what I’m looking to do right now, which is one of the reasons I like the 5-block.”

Board of Education Stands Behind Taser Use

Members of the Syracuse Board of Education say they will continue to support the recent actions of police officers in the city’s schools. This discussion Wednesday evening at the board’s monthly meeting came two weeks after two separate incidents involving the use of Tasers to break up fights at Syracuse high schools.

The police have been stationed at the Syracuse City Schools for years, but have only carried Tasers since the beginning of this school year. Police Chief Gary Miguel decided that the Tasers should be used in schools as an alternative to more physical weapons such as nightsticks or guns, Commissioner Cynthia Kirby said.

The officers in the schools are not under the jurisdiction of the school district, so the board doesn’t have the power to change the Taser policy, board Vice President Laurie Menkin said. The board had the choice between police officers with weapons including the Taser, or no officers at all, Kirby said. “I wish we didn’t have to have police officers armed with Tasers, but that’s the reality of this community.”

Superintendent Dan Lowengard said he believes that the strongest message from the incidents shouldn’t be about the Tasers but should instead be a message to the community that fighting is unacceptable. To help avoid future conflict, programs such as Say Yes to Education and a new district-wide curriculum that better deals with students’ social and emotional problems have been adopted, Lowengard said. “Kids need to be accountable for their behavior. We support not guns or Tasers or pepper spray; we support our police officers.”

Board of Education support Police in High School Taser Incidents

It wasn't on the agenda but Syracuse School Board members made a point of bringing up Tasers during their monthly meeting tonight. All five commissioners on hand and the superintendent said they back the police in recent incidents at two city high schools.

“It is our expectation that our students follow our student code of conduct and exhibit appropriate behavior in our buildings,” Board of Education President Kim Rohadfox-Ceaser said.

Rohadfox-Ceaser was responding to the use of a Taser by an officer during a fight at Fowler High School on September 28, 2009. The previous Taser incident happened at Corcoran High School.

The board stressed that it didn’t want its schools to be depicted as violent places where no learning occurs. Rohadfox-Ceaser assured the public that the safety of its staff and students is their number one priority and the presence of police officers in the schools is the best way to ensure that.

Though the presence of the officers has reduced the number of fights occurring on school grounds, the board is strongly pushing the message to its students that violence is not the answer.

Superintendent Daniel Lowengard said he has been talking to Syracuse high school students about the consequences of fighting and using the Say Yes to Education program to help motivate students to stay engaged in their education and start thinking about college.

“I think when kids see a future and are engaged in their learning on a day to day basis, then the fighting thing is really reduced,” Lowengard said.

Education Commissioners Support Police in Recent Taser Incidents

It wasn't on the agenda and nobody asked about it, but members of the Syracuse Board of Education made a point during Wednesday evening’s meeting of supporting the police in two recent Taser incidents in city high schools.

Police officers used Tasers on students twice during a 24-hour period in September.

On Sept. 28, a school resource officer used a Taser to break-up a fight between two students at Fowler High School. The next day, another officer discharged a Taser at a 16-year-old student who was being disruptive in class at Nottingham High School.

“Fighting will never be tolerated at our high schools,” Superintendant Daniel Lowengard said. “We support our police officers and their actions.”

Lowengard said officers in schools have specialized training when it comes to dealing with violent students.

“The way a police officer is equipped on the street corner should be the way an officer is equipped in Syracuse schools,” said Susan Fahey, President of Parents for Public Schools of Syracuse, after the meeting.

Fahey said the recent increase in school violence is a result of gang-related activities in Syracuse.

“Suburban schools are a reflection of the suburban community,” she said. “Urban schools are a reflection of the inner-city community. It's like night and day.”

Lowengard said he plans on visiting district high schools in the coming weeks to discuss alternatives to fighting with students. He spoke with concerned city residents during a public meeting Saturday at Fountain of Life Church on South Avenue.

School board supports tasers in schools

Syracuse school board members said Wednesday night they support police officers—including their decisions to use Tasers in recent school confrontations.

 “It’s a decision we made to have police officers in our schools, and one of those conditions is that they have the same weapons they have on the streets,” Vice President Laurie Menkin said. 

 Police used Tasers at city high schools twice in September.  The first time was during a fight between students at Fowler High School.  The following day, a police officer used a Taser on a student who hit him at Nottingham High School.  

Although Superintendent Dan Lowengard and President Kim Rohadfox-Ceaser have spoken to reporters about Tasers in schools, Rohadfox-Ceaser said last night’s board meeting was an opportunity for all board members to address the public.  “It’s important for us to say ‘we stand behind the police officers,’” she said. 

Some parents and civil liberties organizations are concerned police will begin to use Tasers more frequently with less caution, board member Cynthia Kirby said after the meeting.  That is not likely because the Tasers have cameras and board members can review the film, she said.

 “My initial reaction to Tasers in schools was negative,” Lowengard said.  “But now that they’ve been used and I’ve been able to see the video, I think they can actually make bad situations safer.”

 Parents for Public Schools President Susan Fahey said both the school board and the police department are handling the issue properly.  “Honestly, I would rather my son was Tasered than shot.”

Syracuse Schools Prepare for Swine Flu Vaccinations

October 15, 2009

The Syracuse City School District announced its plans to set up H1N1 influenza vaccination clinics for students at a Board of Education meeting Wednesday. The clinics will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the district’s high schools when the vaccination becomes available around the first or second week of November, Superintendent Daniel G. Lowengard (right) said.

The district will provide transportation and security as well as permission slips for parents to sign ahead of time, Lowengard said. However, he does not expect there to be enough vaccinations for all students.

“If we say that actually all kids don’t have to have the vaccine then this is a good plan,” Lowengard said.

“As we report that the incidents aren’t that great, parents will say then 'why should we worry?' The danger with that is once the incidents are great, it’s too late to get the vaccine.”

One parent is concerned many students will not get the vaccine and thus become infected with swine flu, which would be detrimental to the education of their classmates.

“If only half the kids get it, and then half the kids are sick, part of your schooling is your interaction with your fellow classmates, so you only have half your class participating,” said Lt. Col. Bryan Ratliff, father of a first grade student at John T. Roberts School.

“There’s an impact on education there too, where kids aren’t in a comfortable environment because their friends are all sick.”

Democrats upset over Republican use of power

 

             Bill Kinne was going to go along, but he wasn't going to get along on this one. "I don't like the way we're doing business," Kinne, D-Syracuse, shouted across the County Legislature Chamber at Majority Leader Kathy Rapp, R- Liverpool.

The issue was approving six directors for the county's new Civic Development Corporation. The underlying issue was Republican control of the legislature through their 11-8 majority. The county executive and the legislature chair nominated the directors; all six are Republicans.

Rapp was taken aback by Kinne’s outburst, “I thought they knew what happened so I was surprised.”

            “They’re not political” Rapp said, when asked whether the board should be more balanced politically.

Sam Laguzza, D-Syracuse, sees things differently.  “For her to say it’s not political is asinine.”

               Laguzza stressed that Republicans ensured control over the board by appointing what he called “entrenched Republicans”

              The Republican majority would have passed the board with or without Democratic support. But the Democrats voted in favor of the proposition unanimously. It passed in the legislature 19-0.

               Kinne said it was not worth it to vote in opposition.   “If I felt I could send a clear decisive message, I would vote no in a heartbeat.” Kinne said.

               Kinne’s one vote could not send a message, the Democrat’s eight might, but it made no difference.

               But Laguzza said he understands where Republicans are coming from.  “If Democrats were in control, we’d probably do the same thing.” Laguzza said. “It’s the nature of the beast. “

 

Syracuse School Board Commissioners Support Use of Tasers

By Brenda Leung
October, 14, 2009


The Syracuse Board of Education commissioners spoke up supporting Taser-equipped campus security officers Wednesday. Since handguns are prohibited in school area, Tasers have become helpful in dealing with potentially dangerous situation - teen violence.

"Having a safe place for our children to be educated is truly our priority," Syracuse School Board President Kim Rohadfox-Ceaser said.

Rohadfox-Ceaser also said security officials informed students of the five high schools about the change in weapon policy: other than carrying gun, pepper spray, and nightstick, Syracuse police officers started carrying Tasers in schools last summer.

Taser hit the news after the two incidents at Fowler and Nottingham high school several weeks ago when school resource officers fired the devices at two students within 24 hours in no relation. One Taser hit its target.

"It's unfortunate that we have to do this," board member Dr. Cynthia Kirby said regarding the use of Tasers.

"We support not guns or Tasers or spray; we support our police officers," Superintendent Dan Lowengard said. "The message will be very strong to all of the students that fighting is never acceptable."

A safe school provides better learning environment. Fowler has a graduation rate of 36 percent; Nottingham, 52 percent. Graduation rate often indicates the quality of the student body. Lowengard said convincing students they can succeed will help make things safer and improve graduation rates.

He also said the only way to reduce school violence is to allow "kids to see their future and engage in their learning on a day-to-day basis." Lowengard promised that police and district officials will review every use of Taser and revisit the policy as the school year progresses.

School Board Divided on US Army's Computers for Learning Program

The U.S. Army is offering up to 250 computers to Syracuse City Schools but an assistant superintendent says it's not as good an offer as it might seem. Lt. Col. Brian Radcliff, a recruitment officer in Syracuse, showed the school board at its monthly meeting the Computers for Learning Program, which donates old military computers without hard drives to schools in the United States.

Radcliff said that the program is an opportunity for the district to get 250 relatively new and cheap Dell GX620 laptops and desktop computers into the school system. The only expense for the three-year-old computers would be for the new hard drives, which cost anywhere from $150-$200, since the old ones contain “sensitive information.” He estimated that the district could set up an operating computer lab for 20 or 25 students for $1,000.

Deputy Superintendent Anita Murphy disagreed with Superintendent Daniel Lowengard’s initial interest, which he showed after the Lt. Col. was done speaking. “The decision is not that obvious," she said after the meeting. "Urban kids deserve the same things that suburban kids do. Suburban kids have brand new machines and state of the art technology. We’re pretty careful about not putting five year old technology in urban kids’ hands.” But Murphy said the board would look into the program.

After the meeting, Radcliff disagreed with Murphy, saying the computers are a cost efficient resource for poorer schools. He said that even with the current economy, “technology in today’s education world is paramount.”

Board of Education Defend Police

Board of Education members said in a meeting Wednesday police should use Tasers in violent situations. The board discussed the two separate incidents in which police officers used tasers to subdue students at Fowler and Nottingham high schools last month.

Superintendant Daniel G. Lowengard was clear in his support for police. “We support not guns or tasers or spray; we support our police officers" Lowengard said.

Board members insist the police are there to ensure the safety of the students. Lowengard and several board members say that the school must trust the police officers in violent situations. “That’s their [police] expertise” school board member Laurie Menkin said. The police officers who are positioned at the school must go through additional training in order to be ready for these situations board member Ned Deuel said.

The Board of Education placed the blame on the students. “If an officer in the hallway tells a student to stop he needs to stop” Menkin said. All the members stressed how important it was for kids to stop their misconduct and respect the faculty and officers in authority. Board member Nancy McCarty said that there should be more control of students to reduce student misconduct.

"At the end of the day, fighting even once will never be tolerated in our high schools." Said Lowengard. "The message will be very strong to all of the students that fighting is never acceptable." Lowengard said he plans to speak to students at all the high schools next week to reinforce that message.

Parent Says Son Misses Classes Due to New 5x5 Block System

A local parent told school board members tonight that the new 5x5 block system being used inSyracuse city high schools is causing major problems for her son and many students.

Diane Lloyd, whose son attends Corcoran High School, told the board that her son has missed ten classes already, because of having to leave school early with the golf team. “I hate to have the kid be put in the position where he has to choose between a sport and a class,” Lloyd said.

The 5x5 block system was formed so that students would be able to take more classes, the creator of the system Brian F. Nolan, Director of High Schools and Career Education, said tonight. However, Nolan admits that an “increase in enrollment, as well as 14 teacher cuts, has led to bigger class sizes.”

At the meeting tonight we spoke with June Goodreau, an art teacher at Henninger High School. She explained that the original school day had four, 80-minute blocks, plus about 30 minutes at the end of the school day in which students could get advising from their teachers. With the new 5x5 block system, Goodreau said, the students now have five, 74-minute blocks and the advising session has been eliminated.

Students can use their open block time for electives or to meet with teachers, but teachers aren’t always available during a student’s free block time. This leaves no opportunity for students to make up tests or asks questions, because the school day now ends at the same time for faculty and students alike. “The main issue is with parents and a loss of advisement,” Nolan said. Goodreau said tonight that she fears some students are too nervous to raise their hands in class and now have no chance to ask their questions at another time. “I really don’t like it.”

The Board of Education said tonight that its Curriculum Committee will be discussing the 5x5 block system at their next meeting.

Lansley Confirmed as Parks and Recreation Commissioner

October 7, 2009

The Onondaga County Legislature (right) confirmed the appointment of William Lansley as Commissioner of the Parks and Recreations Department Tuesday on a unanimous 19-0 vote. Lansley, 47, of Camillus was nominated to the position August 14 by County Executive Joanie Mahoney to replace the retiring Bob Geraci. Lansley began working in his new role on September 28.

Lansley worked for NAMCO Cybertainment Incorporated for 17 years before becoming the director of operations for Odyssey Fun World, two 50,000-square-foot entertainment centers in Tinley Park, Ill., and Naperville, Ill. from 1999 to 2001, Director of Legislative Budget Review Sue Stanczyk said.

“He brings more of a business background and help along there, maybe make it more streamline, so he’s a good choice,” Legislator Robert Demore, R- Fabius said after the confirmation which he introduced to the Legislature. “He has a background in entertainment as far as public places, so it kind of ties into parks.”

Lansley is Mahoney’s cousin but some legislators said they were more concerned that his business and entertainment experience will not translate into success as Commissioner of the Parks and Recreation Department.

"He has no park experience, very concerned about that…the danger you have with that, you're running a park system…he needs someone with park experience,” Legislator William Kinne, D- Syracuse said.

“Now in the process over the next year, I'm going to hold his feet to the fire and see if he does the things he says that he's going to do.”

We were not able to reach Lansley for comment.

School Board and Superintendent Give Support for Police Use of Tasers

October 21, 2009

Syracuse School Board members and the superintendent made a point of supporting the Syracuse Police use of Tasers in local schools during the School Board monthly business meeting Wednesday. The members of the board gave a simple message: the number one priority is the safety of the students and staff.

A police officer used a Taser to break up a fight at Fowler High School, September 28. The next day another officer used a Taser on a student who attacked him at Nottingham High School.

School Board President Kim Rohadfox-Ceaser brought up the discussion of the incidents. Rohadfox-Ceaser said she wanted to make the public aware of the board’s support for the police.

Rohadfox-Ceaser said violence in schools is an issue and there is a need for police officers in the buildings. Other board members agreed.

“I think we need to recognize the safety of our children and the importance of having the police,” school board member Nancy McCarty said.

The board has the authority to assign officers to city schools. The Syracuse Police Department decided that officers in schools should have the same security weapons as officers patrolling the streets.

All officers assigned to schools trained an extra two weeks to learn how to diffuse certain situations, Commissioner Cynthia Kirby said.

“At the end of the day, fighting even once will never be tolerated in our high schools,” Superintendent Daniel Lowengard said. Lowengard said he plans to visit the high schools in the upcoming weeks to talk about students’ behavior expectations.

Criticism of the 5x5 at SCSD Board of Education Meeting

October 14, 2009

A high school student's mother told the Syracuse Board of Education (District Clerk Ann D'Amico, President Kim Rohadfox-Ceaser, and Superintendent Dan Lowengard, pictured right) Wednesday that the new 5x5 program is hurting her son and other students. As her son A.J. sat in the front row, Diane Lloyd told education commissioners about A.J.’s problems, which began when the program was put into effect this school year.

Diane Lloyd brought up issues with the 5x5 schedule, which runs from the new times of 8:15 a.m. to 3:10 p.m., with the addition of a fifth block.

“The building principals have said the students who took advantage [of after-school time] were a very, very small percentage—like ten percent—so 90 percent weren’t taking advantage," Director of High Schools and Career Education Brian Nolan said about why the 5x5 program came to be. "The idea was to build something into the school day.”

Among the Lloyds' grievances is that after-school time that could be used to make up gym class is now nonexistent. Junior A.J. Lloyd said even an excused absence gets graded as a zero at Corcoran High School. After two zeroes, the student is failing gym.

Diane Lloyd said her biggest issue is that A.J. has missed ten classes in the span of five weeks because he has had to leave early for the golf team. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) student, A.J. is required to take 50 hours of Creative Activity Service, or extracurricular activity. International Baccalaureate is a rigorous honors curriculum program.

Nolan said some juniors and seniors are having issues with the 5x5. “We’re making adjustments as we go along,” he said. The 5x5 program will be reviewed October 21 at the Curriculum Committee meeting.

William Lansley Confirmed as Parks and Rec Commissioner

October 6, 2009

The Onondaga County Legislature confirmed the controversial appointment of William Lansley (pictured right) as Commissioner of the Parks and Recreation Department this afternoon at the County Court House in Syracuse. The 19 legislators approved him to the post in a unanimous vote.

Despite some misgivings about Lansley’s qualifications, the mood in the Legislature was lighthearted and punctuated by frequent loud laughter when Robert DeMore, R-Fabius moved to confirm Lansley’s appointment.

After 19 “yeses,” Lansley stood and accepted applause. He slipped out through a side door as the meeting continued.

Although the confirmation of his appointment went unchallenged, Lansley’s new position is controversial. His first cousin County Executive Joanie Mahoney appointed him. Legislators didn’t say they had a problem with this, but questioned Lansley’s qualifications.

“He has no park experience,” William Kinne, D-Syracuse said. “They hired him to be manager. The danger you have with that, you're running a park system.” But Kinne was not about to vote "no."

“Everyone knew he was going to pass 19-nothing,” Kinne said. “You pick and choose your battles.”

“These are the folks the County Executive [picks],” Martin Masterpole, D-Syracuse said. “It’s her prerogative. That’s part of being elected County Executive. There are your picks. And she felt that he was the best pick and it’s not a fight I’m going to have.”

The Office of the County Executive confirmed that Lansley was Assistant Commissioner of the Onondaga County Department of Correction prior to his new appointment. Before that he worked for the Hamilton Street Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse.

Photo used with permission of David DeGuzman

High School Student Challenges District

Corcoran High School’s A.J Lloyd attended the Syracuse City School District Board meeting this evening, along with mother Diane to challenge the new 5x5 schedule implemented this year in all district high schools. The changes are meant to increase teachers’ availability for students, Brian Nolan, Director of High Schools and Career Education said, but students are finding it more difficult and are actually losing time in the classroom, the Lloyds say.

The new 5x5 schedule pushes the school day back and adds a section, starting at 8:15 am and ending at 3:10 pm, cutting into extra-curricular schedules. Lloyd, a varsity golfer has missed roughly 10 classes due to conflicts with golf, he said. “When you make a change like that, you have some bumps on the way,” Nolan said this evening when asked about concerns with the schedule.

The lengthened day also cuts afterschool help, as buses and teachers are only contracted until 3:15 pm. “(Last year) there would be a lot of people that would stay after any given day, even for homework,” A.J Lloyd said. “Some teachers are willing to stay but there’s no more bus to take us back.”

“A bunch of other kids don’t like it,” Lloyd said. Diane Lloyd said she discussed the issue with other parents at Open House meetings at Corcoran High School last week. “It’s hard to get parents involved in the city school system,” Diane Lloyd said. The Curriculum Committee will be discussing the new schedule at their meeting on October 21.

(Photo courtesy of Corcoran High School's website: http://weblink.scsd.us/~corcoran/index.html)

County Legislature confirms appointment of new Commissioner of Parks and Recreation

The Onondaga County Legislature confirmed the appointment of William Lansley as Commissioner of Parks and Recreation this afternoon. The vote was 19-0 but some Democrats said they don't think Lansley is the best choice.

“He has no park experience, very concerned about that,” legislator Bill Kinne, D-Syracuse, said after the meeting.

Lansley replaced Bob Geraci who retired after 33 years with county parks. Although Geracis’ experience will be hard to replace, some legislators said Lansley's 27 years of experience in business management should help him run the department effectively.

Lansley had been the Assistant Commissioner of Corrections for the county since 2008 and worked with the Hamilton Street Boys and Girls Club. He worked with the Boys and Girls Club for six years, overseeing expansion and working with Syracuse Parks and Recreation.

Legislator Martin Masterpole, D- Syracuse, has known Lansley since his time at the Boys and Girls Club and said that he has done a great job with the program.

“I have a personal relationship with Commissioner [Timothy] Cowin [of the Onondaga County Department of Corrections] so I asked him about how was working with Bill out at Jamesville and he couldn’t say enough nice things about Bill Lansley,” Masterpole said. “So for me although, it may be just two small examples, it was an easy decision.”

Lansley stood and accepted his applause then slipped out the side door as business continued. We were unable to get his opinion on the matter.