Princeton Plan Proposal for Nyack Schools

Nyack's Public Schools may be in for a big change. A two year long study of the Princeton Plan has been competed by a special committee of parents and staff of the Nyack, NY public school system. They conducted research based on enrollment projections, educational advantages and disadvantages, building utilization, cost efficiencies and pertinent miscellaneous concerns. The study  led to a report contemplating a shift to the Princeton Plan and was presented at a public board meeting in June.

The Princeton Plan, divides the current K-through-fifth-grade experience into smaller segments. Instead of the three schools—Valley Cottage Elementary, Liberty Elementary and Upper Nyack Elementary, which currently house all grades, under the Princeton Plan,they would house children from just two grades. For example, Kindergartners and first graders would attend Valley Cottage, second graders and third graders would attend Liberty, and so on.

School Superintendant James Montesano said the committee will also share finding with parents in a series of four public meetings throughout the month of October. The first meeting was last night. In an interview wtih Kevin Zawaki of the Nyack-Piermont Patch Montesano said, "This is a sensitive issue, I assure you that no decision has been made about it by me nor the Board of Education," Montesano added. "We are now beginning a process of providing information and gathering feedback on the concept so the best possible decision can be made."

Parents are invited to attend the remaining three meetings, in a year which also marks the first the Nyack High School implements block scheduling.

Meeting dates

•Liberty School Wednesday, October 3  - 7:30 PM
•Valley Cottage School Tuesday, October 9 -  7:30 PM
•Nyack Center Tuesday, October 30 -  7:30 PM