A top-performing Lengthy Island college district is battling over a proposal to rename an elementary college for its outgoing superintendent — with some griping {that a} “living white” man shouldn’t “erase” its native historical past.
At a January college board assembly, PTA Council President Aileen Gingold proposed renaming Cantiague Elementary College in Jericho for Superintendent Henry Grishman, who has held the position in one of many nation’s top-performing districts since 1995.
“By renaming this school, we will ensure that future generations of students, parents and educators will be reminded of the leadership that has helped guide this district to the success he enjoys today,” Gingold stated on the assembly to loud applause.
“Cantiague” is a time period that was probably utilized by Algonquian-speaking Native People to explain the land.
“Renaming Cantiague Elementary erases indigenous history in favor of honoring a living white superintendent,” stated one mum or dad who signed a web based petition towards the proposal that has garnered over 300 signatures.”These pushing for this variation might not acknowledge their bias, however ignorance isn’t any excuse.”
Lengthy Island’s Native American roots are evident in a lot of its city names, together with Massapequa, Montauk, Shinnecock, which “provide invaluable opportunities for education and cultural understanding,” in keeping with Jericho Voice, an nameless mum or dad weblog that has sprung up amid the controversy and describes itself because the “voice of parents in Jericho Union Free School District.”
The group didn’t reply to an inquiry from The Put up.
Others say the proposal is untimely and unprecedented, since Grishman remains to be alive and actively employed by the district.
“The fundamental issue of proposing to name a school facility after a currently employed superintendent creates inherent ethical concerns and questions about proper governance,” the petition states. “Such decisions should maintain clear separation from active service to ensure they are based on demonstrated long-term impact rather than current position.”
Different slammed the board of training “puppets” behind the transfer.
A current funds assembly included a slideshow from the assistant superintendent with a canopy web page that includes Grishman edited onto a film poster for “The Greatest Showman” that learn “The Greatest Grishman.”
“This is not a joke or a meme,” Jericho Voice wrote in a put up. “This is the official opening slide of a taxpayer-funded budget meeting, created by Victor Manuel, Assistant Superintendent of Business Affairs.”
“A budget meeting is not a place for personal tributes,” it added.
Grishman, who first turned a superintendent in 1978 earlier than beginning at Jericho, earns $368,000 a 12 months within the district, which is without doubt one of the highest-ranked within the nation.
Board President Christopher Foresto informed the Lengthy Island Press that the board will proceed to collect group suggestions and that it will likely be mentioned at future conferences, together with its upcoming board assembly on March 20.
