Mineola parents outraged over controversial grading program tied to superintendent’s private venture
Parents are calling for the district to completely abandon “Build Your Own Grade.”
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Tempers flared at a Mineola school board meeting this week, as parents expressed outrage over a controversial grading and learning program introduced in the district — one that’s tied to the district’s own superintendent.
Parents say they’re frustrated about "Build Your Own Grade," a new computer-based educational system developed by Mineola Schools Superintendent Michael Nagler and his 19-year-old son. The program, which rolled out this year for eighth graders, was criticized for relying heavily on iPad-based video instruction and using an unconventional grading model in which students begin each term with a score of zero — prompting concern and confusion among both parents and students.
“Starting every unit at zero is demoralizing,” one parent said during the emotionally charged meeting. “It tells students they are failing before they begin.”
Parents argue the program sidelines teachers, places unnecessary pressure on students and was implemented without adequate transparency. Several accused Nagler of using district time and resources to help build a private product that benefits his own company.
“Hundreds of hours of teachers’ work on taxpayer time and with district resources were transferred into an uncontracted private venture connected to the superintendent,” said Stephanie Guariglia, a parent in the district.
Nagler pushed back against those claims, insisting that no taxpayer money was used to develop the program and that there are no plans to charge the district for its use. He said the intention behind the initiative was to create a more consistent and objective grading system, but admitted the rollout did not go as planned.
“Not one penny of taxpayer money was used for this product. There’s no intention to charge the district anything,” Nagler said during the meeting.
Despite that, the backlash has prompted swift action. District officials confirmed that the digital component of the program has now been suspended. But for many parents, that’s not enough.
They are calling for the district to completely abandon “Build Your Own Grade.”
