Opinions Divided On Possible Changes To School District Tutoring Rules

The Great Neck Board of Education is mulling a decision to disallow teachers from privately tutoring students who attend classes in the same building — leaving faculty members, parents and students divided. 

If approved, the new rule would continue to allow teachers to tutor students from other schools in the district, just not their own, beginning July 1. Twenty-four people spoke in regard to the issue at a school board meeting Monday at Great Neck North High School.

Those against the changes said tutoring is a valuable district resource that is best facilitated when tutor and teacher are in the same building.

Proponents of the changes argue that grade levels and departments often work together on materials, including assessments, which could create the perception that students being tutored by teachers in there own building may be gaining an advantage.

The current rules helps the advantaged over the disadvantaged, according to some.

"To have the ability of some parents to pay extra money for extra access is frightening to me," said Great Neck North Principal Bernard Kaplan, speaking in favor of change. "Don't we try to reach every child, or is it just children who can afford it?" 

Some parents said the idea of losing the current tutoring system is upsetting.

"This teacher knows my daughters strenghths and my daughters weaknesses and can teach her effectively," said one John F. Kennedy Elementary School parent who pays to have her child tutored by a teacher in the same building. "While I understand that there is issues of equity, there's no such thing as equity." 

E.M. Baker School Principal Sharon Fougner pushed for a district registry of available tutors that could be used by parents.

"I have known teachers who have been placed in uncomfortable situations," said Fougner. "I would applaud a registry." 

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Board President Barbara Berkowitz said the idea was not whether or not people should have tutors or be tutored, it was whether or not you should tutor the students in your own building.

"There's still an opportunity to employ Great Neck teachers at tutors from 10 buildings," said Berkowitz.

There are lots of ways in which an uncomfortable relationship could mainifest itself due to student teacher relationships, according to Great Neck North sophomore Mathew Wiggler at the meeting.

"The only real solution would be to end tutoring relationships outside of school," said Wiggler.

Superintendent Thomas Dolan said he wasn't sure where the decision will end up.

"I do know that we have a policy committee that is committed to listening very carefully to collecting points of view, to hearing everbody out and trying to find the right way," said Dolan.

A third and final reading is expected on the issue Nov. 5 at Great Neck South High School before a vote by the school board.