‘This is the USA’

I received an e-mail signed by Jen Trumper, M-W school Board member. She alleges that three board candidates are allied with Kiryas Joel for the purpose of sending Hasidic special education students to a private school in Rockland County.

True or not, her message smacks of anti-Semitism. While I have criticized the Village of Kiryas Joel many times, it was not because of their origin or religious beliefs. Anyone can align themselves with any candidates of their choosing. It is you, the citizen, who has the privilege and responsibility to make your voice heard in the voting booth.

Yes, many dissidents live in the M-W school district and are entitled to send their children to M-W schools. Presently, they send their children to private schools, as do many other parents in the district. Can you fault them for wanting “free” special education through M-W? They have the same rights as taxpayers that you have.

Mrs. Trumper, as a Board member, should know that placement of special education students in the public schools is not at the whim of the parents or Board members. It is a lengthy and documented procedure and only goes to the Board for final approval. At that point, the child is not identified by name, but by number.

Mrs. Trumper should also familiarize herself with a 2009 US Supreme Court decision regarding the placement of special education students. Read it, and it will knock your socks off. Essentially, it allows parents of special needs students who may or may not have been receiving services in the public schools to send their children to a private school and seek and receive reimbursement from the local school district.

Is this carte blanche for parents?

Of course not, but thank you, Mrs. Trumper, for throwing a rock into the hornets’ nest.

Mrs. Trumper, you should be ashamed of yourself. This is USA.

Fred Ungerer Highland Mills