The D&C reports that the New York's Education Department is considering turning Batavia's historic School for the Blind into a private institution because the state cannot adequately run the institution.
The state Board of Regents will decide next week whether to seek letters of interest from private operators who could run the Batavia school. The change would require approval from the state Legislature and governor.
No recommendations have been made yet, said Rebecca Cort, a deputy commissioner.
"We do want to reassure people that we are not looking to close this school," she said. "In fact, it's just the opposite. We are trying to look long term and say, 'How do we continue to ensure the viability of a very viable program?'"
The 140-year-old institution's enrollment was once as high as 300 but is now just over 50. The population has declined largely because school districts have adapted to federal and state laws that require special-education students be mainstreamed into regular classrooms when possible.
The LoHud.com version of the story contains this:
Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, R-Batavia, said he is also trying to publicize the school. As for privatization, "I'm not sure that that's necessarily the route that we need to take at this point."
The school has about 150 state employees and a $10.3 million annual operating budget. It is one of two state-run schools. The other is the School for the Deaf in Rome, Oneida County.
On Tuesday, the Regents will discuss a report on the school by the Education Transformation Group. ETG, which was hired by the state, recommended operating a seven-day program and expanding admissions criteria to include students who are developmentally disabled and have a sensory impairment (vision and/or hearing loss) that makes it difficult to succeed in a regular classroom.
ETG is recommending the institution be privatized and become a state-approved school. Doing so would provide greater flexibility in who could be admitted, the report said.
The school was founded in 1868 largely to help Civil War veterans learn new skills. Here's a 1995 New York Times story that goes into some detail on the school's facilities and results.
I was laid-off last year by
I was laid-off last year by the School due to it's low enrollment. New private take over is the best cost effective move by the state. $200,000 per child is a waste of money. My only fear for the children is the low pay and non benefits to the future non union Direct care will face. That is what private providers will do to the children. Cutting cost always results in Labor cost at the bottom levels of employees.
Direct care workers will be burden before they ever set foot in the work place for that day. DON'T FORGET WILLOWBROOK! The state is falling into that trap all over again.
That is an awful lot of money
That is an awful lot of money for 50+- children
Grow that sucker into one of the preeminent Grade/Middle/High schools for disabled NE children
350-however many can handle students 50K a year tuition + state
link it in some way with UR and hospitals around and even G County park & forest so that it can reenergize in a big but not too big way
I just hope it receives more respect and not less whatever happens
I really think that school could be a boon for the community again
We need to play up what we have
WOW!!!!! right on!
WOW!!!!! right on!