Learning about a timely issue

To generate discussion among Hewlett-Woodmere public school parents, community leaders, administrators and educators regarding the privatizing of American public education, Brian Malone’s documentary “Education, Inc.” was shown in Hewlett High School’s auditorium on Jan. 5.
Malone traveled across America to investigate the issues, many of which have to do with funding for public schools and the children who attend them. As public schools across the country struggle for funding, complicated by the impact of poverty and politics, people are concerned about the future and effectiveness of public schools in the U.S., according to the blurb promoting Malone’s hour-long documentary.
The message behind this movie is that, as a result of these issues in public education, private interests are becoming more interested in taking advantage of this situation, according to Ric Stark, president of the Hewlett-Woodmere Faculty Association that organized the showing of Malone’s documentary.
“The movie was made by a parent in an effort to show the true effects of attempts to introduce ‘free market reforms’ into public education,” Stark said. “This is a timely issue.”
Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach) attended the viewing, encouraging residents to participate and vote in their school board elections. “Corporate interests or corruption seeps into communities when people don’t pay attention and fail to participate,” he said. “We are able to control the direction of our education system if we show up.”

Stark echoes Kaminsky’s observations. “The goal is to highlight the importance of keeping control of schools in the hands of communities through their elected boards of education,” he said. “We believe that ‘free market style’ school reform is all-too-often praised as a panacea without skepticism or critical analysis.”
In order to show the film, the association requested and received permission from the district to use the high school auditorium, as it wasn’t the district sponsoring the viewing. “We are doing all the publicity and promotion ourselves,” Stark said. “We are also obligated to reimburse the school district for any costs that may be incurred for use of the building.” The reason the district did not sponsor the showing was to ensure fairness and to allow everyone, whether an educator or a parent, to formulate their own opinions.
Jamie Marcus of Hewlett, whose two children attend Woodmere Middle School, thought the film was good and yet a little frightening. “I think it raised really interesting points,” she said. “I also thought it was sad that parents that fought hard for their districts, lost. I don’t see that happening here in our community though. The Opt-Out movement here has been successful, I think. There are so many involved parents at Hewlett-Woodmere.”
Marcus said parents needed to stay involved and angry. “It’s remarkable what people are doing in our district,” she said. “The big thing to remember is that it’s wonderful that parents are advocating for their children.”
A trailer for the film and additional information are available at http://edincmovie.com/.