Last night's forum to discuss the board-proposed by-law amendment was attended by over 50 participants, including 22 pre-school parents, 16 trustees and 12 faculty and staff. Facilitators Susan Pinsker and Sue Simmons outlined the objectives of the meeting, set ground rules and established roles before presenting the agenda.
The history of the board process was presented at the meeting. Highlights are noted below:
- The issue of non-Jewish children at B'nai Shalom is not a new topic. In the 70's and 80's, a few non-Jewish children were enrolled at school and some continued throughout the program. Current parents who are also alumni of BSDS remember non-Jewish children in their classes. The school was very small at this time.
- From 2005-2007, the board studied this issue and appointed an ad hoc task force, chaired by Jeff Segal and populated by (then) current (Jewish and non-Jewish) parents, alumni parents, board members and donors.
- The ad-hoc committee researched Jewish day schools in the U.S., Europe and South Africa and conducted a national survey to which over 30 school responded.
- A number of Jewish day schools do admit non-Jewish children in pre-school and beyond.
- After many meetings of spirited discussion, the ad-hoc committee could not come to a consensus and recommended that the board table the discussion.
- In 2008, the board voted to allow children of non-Jewish staff and faculty to attend BSDS Pre-school. This was an experimental move and not a proposal to amend the school by-laws. The experiment was reviewed in May, 2009 and the board agreed to continue for another year.
- The current issue has been in active board discussion since 2008, fueled by parent inquiries, non-Jewish children at Camp Little Star and Indigo Star, parent interest in diversity and financial benefits to the school budget.
- On December 4, 2009, the board recommended to amend the by-laws to admit non-Jewish children to B'nai Shalom's pre-school on a space-available basis.
I'm sorry I missed the meeting. I am not understanding the controversy over this subject. If we have community members who are interested in sending their children to our school, we should be thrilled and welcoming. Anyone sending their child to our Jewish Day School, does so because they value the curriculum and the values taught here.
ReplyDeleteIf a non-jewish family wishes to send their non-jewish child to our school, they should be required to pay full tuition, or even a surcharge or an agreement to donate money to cover expenses not covered by tuition. And understand their child will participate in all activities in the classroom, including rituals and prayers.
Can anyone think of a better way to enhance Greensboro and our World, than by sharing our education and our values with our non-jewish friends and neighbors?
On the practical side, having more paying students allows us to keep our quality teachers and staff.
Thanks for giving me the time for my opinion.
Ned Gross