Dr. Winger, Superintendent of the Newhall School District, rebufs Jeff Shapiro's claim that anti-Semitism is at the root of SUSD's criticism of Einstein's charter petition:
Accusing an entire school district in good standing in the SCV of anti-Semitism takes some "brass" as Bill Clinton said. But if Winger's statement is any indication, it's going to backfire on Einstein and damage their reputation even more than it already is.
It's all up to the SUSD Board now.
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Saugus District is anti-Semitic? ctd
As the superintendent of the Newhall School District I also recommended that my board reject a charter school petition from the Einstein group. Myriad problems with the Einstein proposal are specifically addressed in the Saugus district analysis, as they have been by five other school districts which have previously rejected this petition.
The most significant problems are the lack of experience with low-achieving students, English language learners, students with disabilities, questionable fiscal planning, and a lack of understanding of the operators’ obligations for governance as a public school.
The possible “entanglement” of religion is noted as just one more problem, and actually a minor one. I found Mr. Shapiro’s assertion of anti-Semitism (in this morning’s SCV Beacon) a desperate attempt to divert attention from the main issues that must be considered when a school district is asked to review a charter petition.
I am also an active member of the SCV Jewish community. The entanglement of a specific synagogue and members of the Jewish community in this proposed school was noted in my own district’s analysis. Did noting the concern make me an anti-Semite too? The maintenance of non-sectarian schools is a foundation of the American public school system. The involvement of a synagogue and members of the Jewish community in the Einstein school is factually correct. It is appropriately documented as a possible concern in regard to maintaining the non-sectarian nature of the public schools. But there are many more reasons to once again reject this petition.
Marc Winger, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Newhall School District
Accusing an entire school district in good standing in the SCV of anti-Semitism takes some "brass" as Bill Clinton said. But if Winger's statement is any indication, it's going to backfire on Einstein and damage their reputation even more than it already is.
It's all up to the SUSD Board now.
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