Spanish classes reversal fuels Marblehead rancor

MARBLEHAD – Angry feelings erupted Thursday night as the School Committee reversed a previous vote to study the teaching of Spanish after school in kindergarten-Grade 3.The committee voted to conduct the study at its first April meeting three weeks ago, and voted to invite new Village School Principal Michael Hanna to a meeting to discuss Spanish in the lower grades.Hanna, a former curriculum coordinator for world languages, said Thursday that he opposed language lessons for children in kindergarten-Grade 4 next year, pointing out that Spanish is scheduled to be taught to fifth-graders next year and fourth-graders in 2010-2011.?I believe that the dollar cost and cost to current instructional priorities would be too great,” Hanna said, contending that an after-school Spanish program would throw the regular teaching plan off-balance.For School Committee member Jonathan Lederman the meeting marked his third attempt in three meetings to have Spanish offered in Grade 4 and kindergarten-Grade 3. He previously tried to discuss reducing an unidentified $100,000 administrator?s job from full-time to part-time to fund his program. Committee members balked at discussing personnel matters in public and the study committee looked like his last chance.After Hanna spoke Thursday, Committee member Patricia Blackmore made a motion to rescind the vote in favor of the study committee. “I?m concerned to have a study committee going where they shouldn?t be going,” she said. “I don?t think it?s appropriate.”Lederman called her remarks “the most ridiculous thing I ever heard,” listing other areas the committee studied that evening. “Give me a break,” he said.When Chairman Amy Drinker called for order, Lederman reminded her that she would be the deciding vote, and when the vote came Blackmore, James Dearborn and Drinker supported the motion, Lederman opposed it and committee member Dick Nohelty, who made the original motion three weeks ago, abstained.After the vote, Superintendent of Schools Paul Dulac reminded the committee that the schools offered an after-school language program before and it failed to attract much interest. He mentioned literacy as more of a key priority in kindergarten-Grade 3 and said the current school schedule offers so little flexibility that the schools may need to find the budget money to lengthen the school day.Lederman told him, “That?s one more cohort of kids who won?t get Spanish. I don?t believe it?s because some kids don?t read.”As Lederman?s voice became louder, Drinker rapped her gavel and said she would call a recess.?Do whatever the hell you want, Amy,” Lederman said. “If literacy is a problem the teachers need to go,” he shouted, adding “You killed my study committee.”Drinker called a five-minute recess and members left the tables. When the meeting resumed Drinker offered Lederman the chance to bring something before them in writing for their meeting next week, and he said he would.