Princeton proposes replacing Community Park’s dual-language model with daily Spanish lessons

What happened

Superintendent Michael LaSusa proposed changing Community Park School from dual-language immersion to a Spanish-intensive program, with 45 minutes of Spanish instruction each day and math and science taught in English. He also proposed making the school a neighborhood school rather than an opt-in magnet; the board took no action at this meeting.

Why it matters to families

The proposal would substantially change how students at Community Park learn Spanish and core subjects, and would change access to the school for families outside its attendance area. It remains a proposal: LaSusa said staff input and curriculum planning are still needed and that he could bring a recommendation back for board action at a later meeting.

The evidence

At about 1:10:23, LaSusa recommended reimagining Community Park as a Spanish-intensive school rather than continuing the current dual-language model. At about 1:14:43–1:14:47, he said math and science would be taught in English; at 1:18:30–1:18:47, he described daily 45-minute Spanish instruction and ending the opt-in/opt-out model. At 1:21:22–1:21:40, he said the plan depended on staff input and further work. At 1:51:24–1:51:41, he confirmed the board was not taking action that night; a recommendation could come back at a future meeting.

The source