Message from the Superintendent - Charter Schools

Dear Central Islip Community:

We want to take this opportunity to thank those of you who attended the Public Hearing regarding the Academy Charter Regional High School application on June 2, 2025. Your presence and participation were greatly appreciated.

The District wants to especially thank House Deputy Speaker Mr. Philip Ramos, Long Island Latino Teachers Association President Ms. Dafny Irizarry, Brentwood Superintendent of Schools Ms. Wanda Ortiz-Rivera and her team, Dr. Vincent Leone and Ms. Stacy O'Connor, for their Support.

The Central Islip School District is comprised of a diverse community of students, friends, neighbors, families, educators and support staff who stand poised to protect our proud, strong and award-winning academic, music and athletic programs that have garnered global
recognition.

The Academy Charter School Regional High School application proposes to insert a high school in our community. A second high school in Central Islip would fracture our community and divide our youth.

Additional Concerns include but are not limited to:

1. Adverse fiscal impacts which a charter school would impose on our public school system by redirecting millions of dollars annually from the Central Islip Union Free School District to the Charter School. This would place academic, mental health, athletic, music, enrichment/advanced placement courses, academic intervention/support services, in jeopardy for our students.
2. Academy charter schools enroll comparatively few English Language Learners and students with disabilities in contrast to our District, raising concerns of a lack of inclusiveness and equal access.
3. The Charter School's application demonstrates insufficient community support and a lack of community outreach.
4. The application was submitted without collaboration or consultation with the Central Islip Union Free School District.

Our Board of Education has respectfully made its opposition of the charter school application known. Your opposition could be expressed by writing letters opposing the charter school application so that we may demonstrate the community opposition to the New York State Board of Regents and the State University of New York (to the following addresses):

New York State Board of Regents
NYSED
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12246

State University of NY Charter Schools Institute
353 Broadway
Albany, NY 12246

Sincerely;
Dr. Sharon A. Dungee
Superintendent of Schools
Central Islip School District