Payout orders show over $280,000 in tuition paid by NEN district to Whole Child Academy

The response to a FOIL request submitted by the Northport Journal to the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District has confirmed the district’s relationship with the Long Island Whole Child Academy, a “unique and cutting-edge school” serving twice-exceptional students from across Long Island and New York City. 

Earlier this month, the Journal submitted a FOIL request for information related to any district-approved stipulations for Northport-East Northport students attending Whole Child Academy (WCA), currently located in Melville, since the school’s inception seven years ago.

The shared payout orders show that between 2021-2023, the district paid $289,500 in tuition costs to Whole Child Academy, as well as an additional $83,500 in attorney fees associated with hearing processes between the district and WCA. 

Payment orders in the submitted paperwork show that annual tuitions of $90,000, $99,500, and $100,000 were paid to WCA during the three-year period, suggesting that at least one NEN student per year has attended the school.

Ellen Richer, founder and head of Whole Child Academy (WCA), first spoke publicly about her proposal to lease a portion of Dickinson Avenue Elementary School at the October 5 board of education meeting. Earlier this month, Richer submitted an updated proposal to the district and its brokerage firm, Newmark Realty. 

WCA is offering, according to the updated proposal, to lease a portion of the Dickinson property for $102,000 at year one, with an increasing lease price that reaches $180,000 by year five. WCA is asking for exclusive rights to the property, allowing only the district to continue using the building for its transportation and community service departments for the first one to two years, according to the proposal. 

Whole Child Academy expects to have 30 enrolled students by 2024, a significant milestone in their student population that they intend to grow by leasing a larger space (the school currently has approximately 20 students in its day program). “The purpose of this proposal is to outline our intention to lease with an option to purchase the Dickinson Avenue Elementary School property in East Northport, to accommodate the growth and development of the Long Island Whole Child Academy as we scale up,” the lease proposal states. Students within the Northport-East Northport district will be offered a 50% tuition reduction from WCA if they choose to enroll in the school, according to the proposal, potentially costing the district $50,000 to $60,000 per student annually, as tuition costs increase. 

A 2022 invoice sent to the district from Richer states that Whole Child Academy is a private school not approved by the New York State Education Department for the provision of special education services. The district, therefore, cannot be reimbursed at any percentage for tuition paid for students who attend the school, unlike a program such as BOCES, where a percentage of tuition over approximately $60,000 is reimbursed. 

In the coming months, as the district welcomes a new superintendent, the board of education will continue analyzing the financial status of the district and deliberate next steps in the potential sale or lease of three properties: Dickinson and Bellerose Avenue elementary schools in East Northport and the William J. Brosnan building in Northport Village. 

The Long-Range Financial Plan, created before any proposals were received, shows estimates that the entire Dickinson property would lease for $550,800 to $660,690 per year, based on market value in late 2022. While there have been no other official lease proposals to date, the BOE and greater community have discussed alternative options for the vacant buildings, including creating a STEM center or other educational programs that offer certifications for students who aren’t college-bound. 

Currently, the district has taken a “pause” on discussing or moving forward on any proposals in order to allow time to assess, with community input, the options in relation to the use of the properties. The pause will continue while the BOE identifies the financial impact of decisions related to the properties and the effects of the expected LIPA revenue shortfall in 2027. Newmark Realty, who is currently in contract to represent the district, is still carrying out the parameters of its contract, including showing properties, district officials told the Journal. 

The next BOE meeting is scheduled for January 11, at which time the board is expected to publicly discuss Newmark Realty’s future role in representing the district.

Ellen Richer of the Whole Child Academy did not immediately return requests for comment.