Community Corner

Malverne Couple Proposes Charter School in Lakeview

Jodi and Matt Morello will present their plan for a possible charter school to the community Tuesday night.

"We don't need a superintendent. Why not have teachers run a school? They know what to do," says Matt Morello, of Malverne. "Take those 12 [administrative] salaries in excess of $150,000 and put it back in the schools."

Morello and his wife, Jodi, both educators, are holding a meeting Tuesday night at the Lakeview Public Library to present a new option to parents of students in the Malverne school district.

The Proposed Woodfield Charter School, the name currently given to the Morellos' plan, could open up in Lakeview as early as September 2013 if the idea wins over the support of the community and the State University of New York (SUNY).

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Matt, an English teacher starting his 20th year in pubic schools in Queens, and Jodi, an interior designer turned art teacher, moved to Malverne eight years ago. They do not have kids of their own, but they are incredibly concerned with the future of today's young people.

In their experience, they have seen sixth graders that can not perform basic Math and other students continually pushed through the "factory-like" public school system despite being illiterate. They blame "bureaucrats," not "hard-working teachers," for putting too much emphasis on test-taking and graduation rates, and not preparing students to succeed in college and the working world.

Find out what's happening in Malverne-Lynbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

They have been tossing around the idea of starting a charter school for four years, but the plan only started to take off this spring.

Although they have never taught at a Malverne school, after speaking with neighbors and reading the local press, it became apparent to the Morellos that a number of residents were unhappy with the district's performance. Poor, cuts to business courses and, for administrators, and increased focus on standardized testing were among a number of complaints expressed by community members, particularly those living in Lakeview, in recent months.

"In our own backyard, this is a problem," Matt said. "So we thought, 'Why don't we serve the very community we live in?'"

The couple was introduced to Sherwyn Besson, a Lakeview resident and former business teacher at Malverne High School who has spoken out at community meetings about the school district's shortcomings. Pretty soon they met more Lakeview residents who welcomed their proposal.

What's their plan?

For the first year, their charter school would only serve a limited number of students in Grades 6 and 9. The next year, it would house Grades 6, 7, 9 and 10 as they welcome two new classes and see their first students move up. By its fourth year, it would encompass Grades 6 to 12. Anyone could send their student here, but preference would be given to Lakeview and Malverne residents.

The couple selected these grades because there are few charter high schools in the area. Plus, Jodi adds, "Middle school is a tough time."

She explained that she sees this as a time when students' grades start to dip and they could benefit from the extra attention that a charter school's smaller class sizes would allow for. She also thinks access to art, music and business courses, which are being cut from public schools, that they will provide are essential to a young adult's development.

"Not everyone's going to be a math or lit whiz, but they could be a musician who does amazing things," she says. "Everyone has different ways that they learn."

Matt adds, "The only thing public schools aren't cutting are the tests. Yes, we would still have to take tests, but not as many."

The addition of a charter school in Malverne would be "an increased cost to the school district," Business Adminsitrator Tom McDaid told Patch. Right now, the district pays just under $20,000 for every student it sends to a charter, totaling $300,000 last year.

"We lost students, but didn't lose teachers," he said, adding that 16 students across Grades K through 7 left to attend charters, not enough to eliminate an entire class.

Before the Morellos can submit the 700-page application they obtained from SUNY, they must gauge the sentiments of the greater community. They will explain their proposal on Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. in the Lakeview Public Library, where they will hand out a questionaire, which will also be available online soon.

"We have to determine first if the community wants you," Matt said. "The charter board doesn't want you to be a dividing force."

Already though the idea has evoked some suspicion from residents posting in the "I Love Malverne But Want More From Our Schools" Facebook group.

"I think the Morellos are mostly interested in giving themselves a job," one woman wrote. "They have no other dog in this fight."

Matt said he understands the skeptics, but told Patch he has more to lose than gain by pursuing this plan. After submitting the paperwork, he will have to attend hearings in Albany, find grants or people willing to donate start-up funds, and complete piles of paperwork.

"The process to open a school is very involved. The state wants to make sure you really want to do this," he said, adding that he has opted to go through SUNY rather that the Board of Regents even  though its requirements are more rigorous.

"It lends more credibility to the overall project," he said.

The couple also expressed no desire to hold a leadership position or official title once the school is up and running. They may teach instead, handing the reigns over to a Chief Financial Officer (required by SUNY) and a board of directors.

"Each one of us has a love for the subject we teach," Jodi said of herself, her husband and the handful of educators they already have onboard. Matt said he would also be open to recruiting teachers from within the community, especially minority educators.

"We are trying to better the community," Matt says."If anyone can find an alterior motive, I welcome them to do so."


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