Leadership, Public Service Magnet Theme Considered For New London Schools

A leadership and public service magnet school theme incorporating existing programs in the New London Public Schools could become part of the district’s proposed magnet pathways.

School officials discussed the theme, which would apply to grades 6-12, as one that could be included in New London High School as part of an all-magnet school district. The proposed model includes pathways for visual and performing arts as well as science, technology, mathematics, and engineering; suggestions for additional topics at NLHS have included sports medicine, language and international commerce, and a military academy.

Public safety, teaching, the Junior ROTC, social service, and government service are subjects that have been considered for the leadership and public service theme.

“It really covers a pretty wide range of employment in southeastern Connecticut, and we think it’s incredibly important to expose students to those opportunities,” said Superintendent Nicholas Fischer.

Lou Allen, director of the Science and Technology Magnet High School, said the proposal was brought forward after discussions with Principal Tommy Thompson of NLHS and his staff. He said there have also been discussions with the high school’s staff and governance committee as well as visits to other Connecticut schools with leadership programs.

“There’s no school in the area that focuses on these areas,” said Allen.

Allen said the Navy Junior ROTC program at NLHS remains a popular draw for the student body. Fischer said there has also been considerable interest in a police academy run by the student resource officer as well as emergency medical technician and fire science and safety courses.

Board Vice President Delanna Muse asked if the recommendation had been sustained by community and parent feedback.

“We need to make sure, if we’re voting on a particular theme, that we’ll have the students who are interested in those themes,” said Muse.

Some residents spoke against the inclusion of the Junior ROTC in the theme. Jason Morris, who recently submitted signatures to the Connecticut Secretary of State to appear on the November ballot as an independent Board of Education candidate, said he liked the idea of the theme but opposed an ROTC element.

“I have a deep, deep concern with recruitment efforts in urban districts,” said Morris.

Mirna Martinez, a Republican candidate for the Board of Education, suggested that public policy and law could be feasible alternatives to an ROTC component.

“I think we can offer more to our kids in New London than that pathway,” she said.

Fischer said a public hearing can be held on the final magnet pathway recommendations, and said the Board should make a determination on the programs by mid-autumn to avoid delays in specifications and the build-out phase for renovations at the high school. Dr. Stephen Adamowski, a special master assigned to the district by the Connecticut Department of Education, said the topic of how to assess public interest in the pathways should be included at an upcoming Board retreat.

“Hopefully you can gather a little more information, more input, that will help you make this final decision,” he said.

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