Petition for Review and Intervention: Amityville Union Free School District

222

Let’s get to 500 signatures!
Petitions with 1,000+ supporters are 5x more likely to win!

The Issue

Current Performance Data (GreatSchools.org and State Metrics)

Overall Rating: 3/10 (below average).
Test Scores: 4/10 (outperforms only 31% of similar schools).
College Readiness: 1/10 (outperforms just 3% of similar schools). Low AP (7%), dual enrollment (10%), SAT/ACT participation (5%).
Graduation Rate: ~73% (below state average ~83%). Low-income students lag behind state peers.
Comparison to Nearby Districts: Amityville underperforms Massapequa, Lindenhurst, Copiague, Babylon, and Farmingdale in graduation rates, test scores, AP/college prep, and readiness.

Key Concerns

Governance and Representation Issues
Concerns about recent district elections and decision-making processes have undermined community confidence that student needs are being prioritized and fairly represented.
Lack of Transparency and Accountability
There is insufficient public visibility into how funds are allocated. The district has struggled to balance budgets without state assistance, despite increased local property taxes. We specifically request an independent financial audit to determine where the money is going, when it is not effectively prioritized for student outcomes.
Ineffective Use of Increased Tax Dollars
Amityville taxpayers have supported higher budgets, yet these funds have not produced improved academic outcomes or closed gaps with neighboring districts.
Failure to Meet Student Needs and Educational Equity
Persistent gaps in academics, college preparation, and support services show our children are not receiving the quality education to which they are entitled.
We respectfully request that the New York State Education Department:

Conduct a comprehensive review of the Amityville Union Free School District, including academics, governance, finances, and equity.
Order an independent financial audit of district expenditures and budget practices.
Conduct or facilitate a review of the recent Amityville School Board election to ensure integrity and restore public confidence.
Mandate corrective actions, including the appointment of an independent compliance officer, a monitor, or other targeted interventions if warranted.
Ensure full transparency and development of a measurable improvement plan with strong community input.
Our children’s futures depend on action. Thank you for your attention. We are available to provide additional documentation.

 

 

 

Amityville Memorial High School: Facts for NYSED Review
Amityville Union Free School District, NY

Performance Overview (GreatSchools.org)

Overall: 3/10
Test Scores: 4/10
College Readiness: 1/10
Graduation Rate: ~73% (vs. NY State ~83%)
Low AP, dual enrollment, and college prep metrics
Comparison to Nearby Districts
Amityville lags Massapequa, Lindenhurst, Copiague, Babylon, and Farmingdale in graduation rates, test proficiency, AP participation, and college readiness.

Fiscal Concerns

Residents have approved repeated tax levy increases.
The district has not been able to balance budgets without state assistance.
Question: Where is the money going when it is not effectively prioritized for student outcomes and academic improvement?
Governance Concerns
Questions regarding the integrity of recent School Board elections have undermined public trust.

Call to Action: Support the attached petition requesting NYSED review, independent financial audit, election review, appointment of an independent compliance officer (or monitor), and intervention.

 

avatar of the starter
James …Petition Starter

The Decision Makers

New York State Assembly
2 Members
Michael Durso
New York State Assembly - District 9
Kwani O'Pharrow
New York State Assembly - District 11
Monica Martinez
New York State Senate - District 4

Petition Updates