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Updated 07/25/2011 11:18 PM

Walcott Sees Victory For Charter School Co-Locations

By: NY1 News

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Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott is looking to continue the process of school "co-location.”

The term refers to situations in which charter schools move into the same buildings that public schools occupy.

Last week, the city scored a victory when a judge allowed 15 school co-locations to go forward.

In his first public appearance since the ruling, Walcott visited a co-located school in Washington Heights on Monday.

As he toured the school, parents groups appeared on the steps of the Department of Education to announce they're filing an additional lawsuit over the same issue.

Walcott wouldn't comment on the newest lawsuit, but said he'll continue to support charters.

"We want to give parents the ability to have choice and to choose based on their interests and the success of a school, whether it's a charter school or a non-charter school," said Walcott.

The new lawsuit from parents focuses on the price of co-locating schools, which they say will cost the city close to $100 million next year.

Meanwhile, opponents continue to oppose a charter elementary school from moving into a high school complex on the Upper West Side.

City Councilwoman Gale Brewer said the decision by the city could cost hundreds of students seats at the Brandeis school complex on West 84th Street.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and other leaders say the city shouldn't be mixing elementary school children with older students, especially when buildings have been designed with high school students in mind.

Parents had separately sued to try to stop this co-location, but earlier this month a judge ruled the plan could go forward.