New Magnet School Program Proposed

The plan for DiLoreto School, which emphasizes bilingual studies, would extend the curriculum through Eighth grade.

NEW BRITAIN—-In the vision for a new regional magnet school, laptop-toting, racially diverse students from the city and suburbs learn in two languages and regularly communicate with people from around the world.

The school would serve kindergarten to eighth grade and would open for the 2002-03 school year at the DiLoreto Magnet School. The curriculum would be aimed at world languages, international studies and technology.

A proposal several years ago for a regional magnet school died, but the concept and rules are different now and hopes are the entire community will support this plan.

DiLoreto is now a kindergarten to Grade 5 magnet school serving city students. It is well known for its English/Spanish dual language program, now offered in kindergarten through fourth grade, that allows students to study in English and Spanish on alternating weeks.

The program, which is to be extended to fifth grade in September 2001, has been touted as an immersion technique that has boosted students’ proficiency in both languages and produced higher standardized test scores. It is also the concept that officials feel will serve as the attractive crux of the proposed regional school.

While the regional proposal also calls for a heavy emphasis on technology, international studies and world languages, School Superintendent James Rhinesmith said interest from other communities has centered mainly on the dual language aspect.

However, some school board members and a state legislator — who fought an attempt by the Capitol Regional Education Council to locate a regional, early childhood magnet school here in 1997 — say they still aren’t totally sold on the new idea, even if it is a different concept in a different place.

“We have to look at the ramifications of this, both to our own student population and to the taxpayer who is ultimately footing the bill,” said state Sen. Thomas Bozek, D-New Britain. “I think there are city kids who would be interested who would be shut out. It’s an idea that has to be weighed.”

Bozek was the most ardent critic of the CREC project and was seen as a key to its demise. He helped organize a group of residents in the Barbour Road area near the proposed school site.

CREC had anticipated building the school on a parcel leased from Central Connecticut State University. Plans were to use the regional school as a training ground for student teachers from the university. Opponents argued it would cause traffic problems and overextend the university’s boundaries. That opposition, combined with Bozek’s political clout, blocked State Bond Commission approval of project funding. Despite support from school officials in surrounding towns and local officials, including Mayor Lucian Pawlak, the plan was abandoned.

At a recent school board meeting, officials indicated the state Department of Education is very supportive of the new idea. Once a final application gained approval, the state would pay all construction and renovation costs as well as $1.65 million a year in operating fees. Once again, Bond Commission approval is necessary for the capital portion of the project, and Bozek’s support, officials agree, would help.

“I want more information,” said Bozek. He said he is open to hearing about the plan, but not ready to make a decision.

“Is this going to going to give us more for less money?” he asked. “I’m not convinced all the ramifications of this project have been discussed.”

As part of the application process, the city would need commitments that about 150 students from outside the district would join city students at the redesigned school. While not yet finalized, it is expected students would be chosen by lottery, the process used by most magnet school programs.

School board members appear divided over the idea. Supporters say the regional school would be an inexpensive and exciting addition to the district. Potential opponents say they are concerned about hidden costs and academic inequity within the district.

School board member Paul Amenta, the only member who did not support the idea when it was first presented in November, said he has doubts.

“Again we are looking at something that is going to benefit certain students in the city and not all the students,” Amenta said.

He also questioned whether promoting a program aimed at encouraging more diversity fits in a school that already is racially balanced.

“There is also a financial end to this,” Amenta said, explaining that he is wary of any state promises to underwrite the costs. “Is this something we are going to be able to afford if we have to?”

There are now 33 regional magnet schools in the state, with two intra-district schools poised to become regional schools in September 2001. Another six new regional magnet schools also are slated to open in September.

The local application preparation is moving forward. One of the advantages of the New Britain proposal, its backers say, would be its central location in a cluster of small suburbs, where there are fewer regional magnet school opportunities.

State officials say the magnet school concept appears to be durable. Slowly but surely, such schools are being recognized not only as a way to integrate students from different districts, but as places where innovative methods, teacher training, new curriculum ideas and up-to-date technology are giving students the best education possible.

Officials in several school districts have listened to New Britain’s proposal and say they will continue listening as the proposal gets firmer.

“We want to learn more,” said Michael Wasta, assistant superintendent in Bristol, one of several communities that have been asked to participate. Wasta, who along with school officials from Newington recently attended a meeting with New Britain school officials, said the program has the potential to serve some Bristol students especially well.

“It could be good for our Spanish-speaking students and for non-Spanish speaking who are interested in acquiring a second language,” he said.

“We would like to see the New Britain proposal come off,” said Chuck Cassidy, program manager for the interdistrict cooperative grant program at the state Department of Education. “Magnet schools are growing in popularity and offer choice and academic excellence.”



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