Students Plead School Board to Keep Middle School Science and Math Clubs

Eighth grader Rachel Anszelowicz didn’t feel like she fit in at school. That was until she found Science Olympiads and Mock Trial.

“I was happy and for the first time, I felt like I belonged in this district,” she eloquently said during Monday’s Board of Education meeting at .

Anszelowicz said she always wanted to be a part of a team, but found success in the classroom rather than the athletic fields. For her, academic competition clubs within became a second home. Next year however, students like Anszelowicz may not have the same opportunity.

About 35 percent of stipends paid to fund extracurricular activities in Half Hollow Hills will be cut from the school budget next year. Included in the reductions is about $100,000 to middle school clubs, which will eliminate Science Olympiads, Math Counts, Mock Trial, Science Explorers and other academic clubs from West Hollow and Candlewood.

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While $350,000 will be cut from extracurricular activities across the district, $145,000 will be slashed to athletic programs.

For students who excel in their studies rather than sports, the cuts are particularly upsetting, added Alice Epstein, a parent.

“We feel devastated that so many of our middle school clubs, especially academic clubs are being cut,” she said.

The West Hollow Science Olympiads team this year during the regional competition.

Superintendent Kelly Fallon said that in creating the budget, the board made sure to cut from all areas and that clubs currently on the chopping block are being reviewed for reinstatement.

John O’Farrell, Assistant Superintendent for Assistant Superintendent
Secondary Education, added that the district is looking to reinstate six middle school clubs and will decide on which ones based on size and cost. “Certainly Science Olympiads is in that discussion,” he said.

Aaron Charlack, a member of West Hollow’s Science Olympiad team suggested combining the middle school teams to save money. Fallon applauded his suggestion and said the board would take it into serious consideration.