John McNally, environmental and communications program director of the Rauch Foundation, said yesterday that Long Island is considered the 3rd most segregated suburban community in the United States. Nevertheless some schools are very diverse. There is 39. 6% of multiple races in the Baldwin community according to the Long Island Index. Therefore the schools are equally balanced when it comes to culture and race. Mcnally continued to speak about what his Foundation is trying achieve his last statement really reflected Long Island culture in terms of race. To be considered a segregated community means that ethnicity and culture still matter in this modern world.
If more people knew about the separation in Long Island, a lot of minorities might not move here.McNally’s description about the taxes and high poverty and low poverty explains why certain schools don’t receive the same treatment as other schools in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. McNally broke down how the taxes for Long Island’s school districts work. He gave an example using Roosevelt Field Mall. He stated that mall taxes all go the Garden City schools, while Hempstead receives little or nothing at all. The wealthier community takes it all, leaving the poor communities to suffer. He stated that 88% of high income families will pass 4th grade English while only 63% of low income families will pass. That’s a big difference.
This is what the Rauch Foundation is trying to end. They want equality among the community, schools and people. The reality is minorities receive less money and that is what they are trying to change. One of their main goals is to merge school districts. They realize how many unnecessary school districts there are which is putting a strain on home owners income. But many communities oppose it. They refuse to be with school districts like Hempstead because of low performance and race. While they can merge and save money, they would rather scrabble for money for their school. The fact of the matter is people’s livelihoods are at stake. It’s like investing into a business deal blindfolded, you don’t know the outcome. But truth is, minorities need the money so they can have an equal opportunity of getting a fair education. Schools with low poverty receive more money and do better on regent exams. Schools with high poverty receive the bitter end of the stick, which means regents scores aren’t the best as they should be. The Rauch Foundation wants schools to be multicultural and merged. They feel it will help save taxpayers money and bring together a more unified community because our school districts are more at stake.
My name is Stacyann Nathan and i am 16 years old. I was born in Jamaica, Queens on November 9. I currently live in Baldwin where i attend Baldwin Senior high school located in Nassau County, Long Island. I have been writing since i was a child and always had a passion for it. I write my school newspaper and i help create a yearbook for the graduating class. In my spare I love to sing, dance and spend time with my friends and Family. I hope one day i will be able to work for a great journalism company. 