A top-performing Long Island school district is battling over a proposal to rename an elementary school for its outgoing superintendent — with some griping that a “living white” man shouldn’t “erase” its native history.
At a January school board meeting, PTA Council President Aileen Gingold proposed renaming Cantiague Elementary School in Jericho for Superintendent Henry Grishman, who has held the role in one of the nation’s top-performing districts since 1995.
“By renaming this school, we will ensure that future generations of students, parents and educators will be reminded of the leadership that has helped guide this district to the success he enjoys today,” Gingold said at the meeting to loud applause.
“Cantiague” is a term that was likely used by Algonquian-speaking Native Americans to describe the land.
“Renaming Cantiague Elementary erases indigenous history in favor of honoring a living white superintendent,” said one parent who signed an online petition against the proposal that has garnered over 300 signatures.”Those pushing for this change may not recognize their bias, but ignorance is no excuse.”
Long Island’s Native American roots are evident in many of its town names, including Massapequa, Montauk, Shinnecock, which “provide invaluable opportunities for education and cultural understanding,” according to Jericho Voice, an anonymous parent blog that has sprung up amid the controversy and describes itself as the “voice of parents in Jericho Union Free School District.”
The group did not respond to an inquiry from The Post.
Others say the proposal is premature and unprecedented, since Grishman is still alive and actively employed by the district.
“The fundamental issue of proposing to name a school facility after a currently employed superintendent creates inherent ethical concerns and questions about proper governance,” the petition states. “Such decisions should maintain clear separation from active service to ensure they are based on demonstrated long-term impact rather than current position.”
Other slammed the board of education “puppets” behind the move.
A recent budget meeting included a slideshow from the assistant superintendent with a cover page featuring Grishman edited onto a movie poster for “The Greatest Showman” that read “The Greatest Grishman.”
“This is not a joke or a meme,” Jericho Voice wrote in a post. “This is the official opening slide of a taxpayer-funded budget meeting, created by Victor Manuel, Assistant Superintendent of Business Affairs.”
“A budget meeting is not a place for personal tributes,” it added.
Grishman, who first became a superintendent in 1978 before starting at Jericho, earns $368,000 a year in the district, which is one of the highest-ranked in the country.
Board President Christopher Foresto told the Long Island Press that the board will continue to gather community feedback and that it will be discussed at future meetings, including its upcoming board meeting on March 20.
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