Nyack High School Administration Elaborates On Closed Campus Plans

Nyack High School administrators recently presented a detailed outline of the newly mandated and controversial pilot program that is designed to close the institution's campus to underclassmen through at least October.

More than 40 students, parents, community members and school officials gathered inside Nyack High School's cafeteria Thursday, Aug. 26 to listen to Principal Joseph Spero and Assistant Principal Rudy Arietta explain how the program is going to work.

Spero focused on three main topics: defining the goals of the policy, illustrating what parts of the campus will be off-limits and explaining how violations will be dealt with.

Spero said the goals of this closed campus initiative are to help school officials keep account of the students' whereabouts at all times, provide a secure environment and deter any unsafe behavior such as cutting and drug use.

He also noted the concrete areas surrounding the perimeter of the building and the upper field will be acceptable places for underclassmen to gather; but parking lots, driveways, the lower field and the wooded areas in back of the school will be strictly prohibited.

Violation of the policy will be reviewed on a case by case basis, Spero added. The nature of the offense and the individual student's behavioral record would determine what punishments would be handed down, he explained.

The small crowd gathered raised several questions and concerns, ranging from funding to enforcement. The biggest concerns parents focused on was how affected students will be identified—and how administrators will prevent underclassmen from breaking the policy.

Spero said freshmen and sophomores will be identified with orange tags.

"Our staff tends to know who everyone is and where they should be," Arietta added. "The identification of students is not expected to be a problem."

The issue of a closed campus has caused a firestorm of debate within the Nyack High School community since the School Board voted on July 6. In the ensuing month and a half, people have been expressing their opinions, both for and against the policy.

There are those who believe closing the school's campus to its younger students will keep them safer and out of trouble. Others are frustrated with the Board's hasty action on the policy without receiving input from the community. Some have opined the policy will not work, and is a waste of time and money.

Regardless of prevailing thought, Spero said the policy is going to take effect when school begins and the community would be better served learning about it, rather than debating whether it should be in existence.

"I respect everyone's views," he said Thursday. "It is important that with school beginning soon, we get our mind on this program. Its success requires the support of everyone, regardless of their opinions."