MONROE: BOE debates Challenge program

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   MONROE — Even though Board of Education members approved a Challenge Day program for the district by a 6-2 vote May 9, there was still debate on the merits of the program.
   Challenge Day, a California based non profit organization, is now set to provide services, people, and materials for three days of student workshops focused on student harassment, bullying and respect in November.
   The fee for the program is $9,600, which does not include airfare, hotel transportation and miscellaneous expenses, which the board will also have to reimburse to the organization.
   Challenge Day’s mission is to provide students with experiential workshops and programs that demonstrate the possibility of love and connection through the celebration of diversity, truth and full expression, according to its website, www.challengeday.org.
   The program runs for six and a half-hours during the three days, according to the organization.
   Challenge Day successfully addresses some common issues seen at most schools during its school programs including cliques, gossip, rumors, negative judgments, teasing, harassment, isolation, stereotypes, intolerance, racism, sexism, bullying, violence, homophobia, hopelessness, apathy, and hidden pressures to create an image, achieve or live up to the expectations of others, according to its website.
   ”If this is on bullying, we have the administrative assistant whose job it is to (enforce) anti-bullying,” said board member Mark Klein. “Why are we bringing in a company from California to do what one of our staff members is being paid to do?”
   Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton requested that Monroe High School principal Robert Goodall explain what “Challenge Day” is.
   ”We did some research on outside programs to make connections with kids, to work with identified kids,” said Mr. Goodall. “We thought these programs were the most appropriate for Monroe, and ‘Challenge Day’ stood out to how they make connections directly with kids.”
   ”My feeling is that it’s a duplicate of what should be done and I cannot see laying out what may amount to being upwards of $16,000 for this when we are paying someone here that is responsible for (that ype of ) training,” Mr. Klein said. “I respect what Mr. Goodall said, but when it comes to money, this where we are paying somebody on the staff to do this, I’m totally against it. I will vote against it and I suggest other members do the same.”
   Board member John Leary joined Mr. Klein in voting against the program.
   Mr. Goodall said it was a “student-driven and collaborative” workshop when asked about the kind of program it is.
   ”It’s a young peoples workshop, and with all due respect to all the administrative team who work with the kids, it’s a workshop where they really make connections with kids,” Mr. Goodall said. “If you saw the actual program you would know exactly what I mean. It’s not something that I would approve unless I really thought it was worthwhile for the kids and is really something beyond maybe our expertise.”
   ”I think this is a really important program for our students,” said board member Amy Antellis in support of the program.
   Ms. Antellis said she felt the program would be valuable for Monroe students after seeing news reports of another young lady committing suicide after being bullied in another school.
   Mr. Goodall invited the panel to come out and observe a “Challenge Day” program in another district as well as participate.
   ”It really is a great venue to get kids together that have some differences,” Mr. Goodall said.
   The majority of members supported the program.
   ”Mr. Goodall if you say it’s a good program and it will benefit the kids, I’m all in favor of it,” said Ira Tessler, board member. “What money we are investing in the program, if it saves one child, it’s money well worth spending.”