Oppose Charter Schools in Brentwood, NY

On June 3, 2025, the Brentwood Union Free School District convened a public hearing to consider the proposed applications submitted by the Academy Charter Schools. What transpired over the course of the evening was more than public comment—it was a compelling, community-wide rejection of privatization, and an unflinching defense of public education, equity, and student opportunity.

Superintendent Wanda Ortiz-Rivera opened the hearing with clarity and conviction. She reminded attendees that Brentwood is not only the largest suburban district in New York State, but a thriving, student-centered institution that serves over 18,000 students—more than 6,500 of whom are English Language Learners. Ortiz-Rivera described a district committed to doing transformative work from within, not waiting for outside intervention. She cited the district’s growing portfolio of programs, including dual-language instruction, career and technical certifications, early college partnerships, wraparound services, and the visionary strategic framework known as Graduation PLUS+. “We are not waiting for innovation,” she declared. “We are driving it.” For Brentwood, the charter school proposals were not necessary alternatives—they were existential threats to a system already delivering on its promises.

Following the superintendent’s remarks, Deputy Speaker of the New York State Assembly Phil Ramos delivered a pointed and passionate address. A proud graduate of Brentwood schools, Ramos warned that the charter school movement—despite its branding as a tool for educational choice—is too often a vehicle for privatization. Backed by hedge funds and private interests, charter schools, he argued, exploit vulnerable communities of color under the false pretense of improving outcomes. Ramos cited Hempstead as a cautionary tale: a district that has been destabilized by charter expansion, losing critical resources and programming to duplicative, privately managed schools. He emphasized that Brentwood’s public school system could face a similar fate, with nearly $100 million in public funds potentially diverted by 2032. Ramos’s message was as forceful as it was simple: “We believe in public education. We believe in Brentwood!”

Later in the evening, that warning came to life. The President of the Hempstead Board of Education addressed the audience, offering crushing testimony that validated Ramos’s earlier concerns. He described how charter schools infiltrated his district, drained its resources, and fractured its public system. His account was deeply personal and unmistakably dire. He compared the charter expansion to a “parasite”, and even more starkly, to a “cancer”—a destructive force that consumed public funding, hollowed out neighborhood schools, and left his district weakened and struggling to serve its students. His presence and words transformed theory into lived reality, underscoring the very danger Brentwood now confronts.

The hearing continued with testimony from Dafny Irizarry, founder and president of the Long Island Latino Teachers Association. Irizarry offered a detailed deconstruction of the Academy Charter application, highlighting its glaring deficiencies: redacted resumes, allowances for uncertified teachers, vague references to bilingual programming, and a lack of transparency. She made it clear that the proposal added nothing of substance to what Brentwood already offers—and often exceeds. “They are not proposing anything Brentwood doesn’t already do—and do better,” she concluded. “This isn’t innovation. It’s duplication, with a devastating price tag.”

Next came the voices of Brentwood’s most important stakeholders: its students. Student #1, a cadet in the AFJROTC program, shared how the program built her confidence, leadership, and discipline—qualities that helped her secure scholarships and Division I athletic opportunities. Student #2, an active member of the COPA Club, spoke about the academic and creative outlet the program provides, affirming that students are supported intellectually and artistically. Student #3 delivered a moving account of how project-based learning and Graduation PLUS+ helped him find his voice, strengthen his communication skills, and chart a path toward college. These students offered undeniable proof of a district already achieving the kind of outcomes that charter advocates only promise.

From the classroom to the budget ledger, Brentwood’s preparedness was reinforced by Stacy O’Connor, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations. O’Connor outlined the district’s significant capital investments and the potential economic damage that charter approval would inflict. She warned of increased local tax burdens and cuts to existing programs, stressing that Brentwood’s public dollars should remain with its public schools.

Dr. Vincent Leone, Director of Programs and Policy, followed with a systematic dismantling of the Academy Charter application. He detailed how the application failed to meet basic RFP requirements, including and especially collaboration with the district. He highlighted the meager public response—fewer than 200 signatures in support despite a projected enrollment of 600—and raised deep concerns about transparency and equity. Dr. Leone concluded unequivocally: “This application should be summarily dismissed.” He then turned the focus back to Brentwood’s strengths, asserting that Graduation PLUS+ is an innovative core strategic plan that has received laudatory acclaim across the state.

Immediately after, Matthew Gengler, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, illuminated how that plan is transforming lives today. Gengler brought Graduation PLUS+ to life, sharing vivid examples of students engaging in early college coursework, earning industry credentials, participating in civic action, and leading real-world projects. His testimony made clear that Brentwood isn’t just preparing students for the future—it is building it, every day, in every classroom, with real results. He emphasized that the work is not theoretical. It is measurable, it is thriving, and it is uniquely tailored to the needs and strengths of the Brentwood community.

As the evening progressed, testimony from New York State Regent Felicia Thomas-Williams, a former Brentwood principal, provided a powerful reflection on the district’s legacy of excellence and equity. Speaking from personal experience and institutional oversight, she expressed pride in Brentwood’s accomplishments and confidence in its ability to continue leading, innovating, and serving its students without the intrusion of charter operators.

The hearing concluded with statements from educators, parents, alumni, and local leaders, including Robert Vecchio, Executive Director of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association. Vecchio reminded attendees that charter schools are private entities, not public institutions, and lack the transparency, accountability, and democratic governance that define public education. He affirmed Brentwood’s programming—including Virtual Enterprise, AFJROTC, and science research—as exemplary models that charter schools cannot replicate.

Throughout the evening, the message from Brentwood was unified and unmistakable. This district is not broken. It is not failing. It is not in need of rescue. It is thriving—because of the hard work of its educators, the vision of its leadership, and the determination of its students and families. The proposed charter schools are not a solution. They are a threat to the very progress Brentwood has fought to achieve.

As the hearing drew to a close, Board of Education President Eileen Felix offered words that encapsulated the collective emotion and determination in the room. She spoke with gratitude for every voice that rose in defense of the district, those that offered constructive criticism, and with urgency about the responsibility Brentwood has to protect its children and preserve its future. With clarity and conviction, she called on SUNY and NYSED to honor the will of the community and to stand on the side of public education. Her final charge was unmistakable: this is not merely a policy decision—it is a moral one.

The community’s appeal to SUNY and NYSED was direct and unequivocal:

Reject the Academy Charter School applications.
Protect Brentwood’s public schools.
Honor the work that is already changing lives.