NYSED plans to make Regionalization regulation edits, addressing concerns about mandatory participation
A language change to the regulation language in the NYSED’s Regionalization initiative would allow local districts to opt out of participating in both the planning process and the plan itself.
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A topic of discussion at the last two Northport-East Northport Board of Education (BOE) meetings, the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Regionalization initiative continues to make headlines across Long Island. To date, the district has sent a position statement on the mandate to the NYSED and has aligned its efforts and concerns with the Nassau-Suffolk Schools Board Association.
A letter sent to district residents by Superintendent Dr. Dave Moyer yesterday indicated that the NYSED plans to address concerns about mandatory participation in the initiative by making edits to the regulation language.
On November 12, with unanimous support from the BOE, Superintendent Moyer and Board President Carol Taylor cosigned a letter to the NYSED commissioner and deputy commissioner of education, endorsing the position statement made previously by the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association. The board’s letter highlighted four statements from the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association letter for the purposes of showing alignment. They read:
“We strongly support and believe in maintaining local control.”
“We strongly urge that we begin the process of addressing the costly unfunded and underfunded mandates imposed on school districts.”
“We support clarifying language in the regulations to make sure that local school districts have the ability to opt-out of the regionalization plans.”
“It is vital to ensure that shared services do not reduce one district’s resources over another.”
At the November 21 BOE meeting, the board directed the administration to construct a second letter to the NYSED Commissioner requesting that the Regionalization regulation language be amended to reflect the language outlined in public presentations made about the initiative. Most importantly, that local districts are not mandated to participate in the regionalization plan put forth by the district BOCES superintendent.
In a November 26 letter from Superintendent Moyer to the community, he said that as per recent communication from NYSED, that letter would no longer be necessary.
“Earlier this afternoon, I received a communication from the NYSED with information on what they are calling “Key Non-Substantial” edits that will be included in the revised Subpart 124-2 Regulations regarding Regionalization,” Moyer wrote.
They are as follows:
Clarification on Monitoring and Amendments
Section 124-2.5(d) will be revised to note that suggested amendments to regionalization plans will remain advisory rather than mandatory. This ensures that districts maintain full control over the plans they develop.Voluntary Participation Acknowledgment
To address concerns about mandatory participation, a new provision (Section 124- 2.8) will be added, which allows districts in consultation with their school boards, to elect not to participate in the regionalization planning process by submitting written notification by January 15, 2025.
The language change to the regulation, which comes after the public comment period for the proposed regulation, would allow local districts to opt out of participating in both the planning process and the plan itself. NYSED did communicate, however, their belief in the initiative and its ability to “offer a valuable framework for districts that choose to participate in thoughtful discussions of student opportunities.”
Moyer stated that the BOE is expected to discuss the district’s “Voluntary Participation” in the Regionalization plan at a future meeting, in time to meet the January 15 deadline “should it wish to elect not to participate in the regionalization planning process.”
To contact representatives from the state and NYSED regarding your concerns about the Regionalization Initiative, use this contact information webpage provided by the district.
