The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Thursday, June 27, 2002


Exchange student limit plan debated

By Melissa S. Finley
Herald Staff Writer

Two German students will spend next school year at West Middlesex High School as juniors. However, the maximum number of exchange students being permitted in the district is up for debate.

The school board heard multiple public opinions, as well as those of administrators, about the foreign exchange program Monday.

Before voting 9-0 to officially accept students Lina Molders and Agnes Lewerken, two German girls who speak fluent English, the board heard the first reading of a policy limiting the number of exchange students to three each school year, the current number, but would allow directors to increase that number due to "exceptional circumstances."

The state limits the number of exchange students to five in a district, said Superintendent Al Jones.

Three members of the community asked the board Monday to consider raising the number of exchange students allowed to five.

"What would the difference be if my wife and I had another child?" asked David Donofrio, a sponsor of exchange student Agnes Lewerken. "If the families are willing to house, feed and clothe them and area sponsors are willing to pay their education costs, why not allow as many as we can? It only benefits the children in our schools."

While the board seemed to agree about the multiple learning opportunities an exchange student provides for local children, they seemed adamant about keeping the number at three.

The cost of educating one student in the district is more than $7,000, noted board member Connie David. "That means three students are costing the district $21,000 to teach and provide for. And, at this time, that is the amount I am willing to spend on the program."

"I have already made some calls, and judging from them, we already have three (more) families wanting students next year, said another concerned parent, Barbara Humphrey. "And this is only June and we haven't made much effort. We could get a lot more interest before next (2004) fall," she added.

Mrs. Huphrey and her family will house Lina Molders this year.

"We also have not tried to get sponsorship from local organizations," said Donofrio. "If it is a matter of buying a few textbooks, I'd buy the textbooks if it gets the students here."

The board added that there is more than text books to be paid for. The attention of the teachers would also be a factor.

"If we have a class of 16 local students and add three exchange, a teacher would need to be spending a lot of time with students that aren't local in daily lessons," said Superintendent Al Jones. "And that is assuming they speak English fluently."

"We do not argue that it is a great program," said board member Walter Gelesky. "But our priority is to our students in the district first, exchange students second."

Since it was just the first reading of the proposed policy, which passed 7-2, there will be more debate, said board President Thomas Hubert. He and board member Warden Burger voted against the policy; both asked for more time to look into the subject.

A second reading of the policy will occur at the next meeting, which has yet to be scheduled.



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