[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
SUNY Charter Schools Institute
State University Plaza
353 Broadway
Albany, NY 12246
New York State Education Department
Office of P-12 Education
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
RE: Opposition to Diamond Charter School's Application for Temporary Location in West Hempstead UFSD
Dear SUNY Trustees and NYSED Officials:
I am writing as a [parent/resident/taxpayer] of the West Hempstead community to express my strong opposition to Diamond Charter School's charter revision application seeking temporary incubation within the West Hempstead Union Free School District.
My concerns about this proposal include:
Lack of Community Input and Transparency The West Hempstead community had no involvement in the selection of our district as a temporary site for this charter school. This decision was made without consultation with local stakeholders, parents, or district leadership. Our community deserves a voice in decisions that directly impact our schools and tax dollars.
Financial Impact on Our District Under New York State law, every West Hempstead resident who enrolls in this charter school would require a per-pupil tuition payment directly from our district budget. This represents a tangible financial threat to the programs, services, and resources currently provided to our students. At a time when public school districts face ongoing fiscal challenges, diverting funds away from our neighborhood schools is unacceptable.
Disruption to District Stability Introducing an outside educational entity, even temporarily, creates unnecessary logistical complications and instability for our district. Our focus should remain on strengthening and supporting our existing public schools, not accommodating external organizations that do not serve our community's interests.
Questionable Need Diamond Charter School's own application acknowledges their intention to recruit students from districts across Nassau and Suffolk counties, not specifically to serve West Hempstead families. This raises serious questions about why our community should bear the burden of hosting this school when it is not designed to meet local needs.
Our Superintendent has made clear that this proposal does not serve the best interests of West Hempstead students and taxpayers, and I wholeheartedly agree. I urge SUNY and NYSED to deny this application and protect the integrity and financial stability of our public school district.
Thank you for considering community input in this important decision.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Note to parents: Please personalize this letter with specific details about your family's connection to the district and any additional concerns you may have. Mass letters have more impact when they include individual perspectives and experiences. You can email: charters@suny.edu and CharterSchools@nysed.gov