Updated 11/30/2011 09:20 AM
Protesters Disrupt DOE Hearing On Proposed Brooklyn Charter School
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The Department of Education held a meeting Tuesday at K293 in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn to discuss a proposed 190-seat charter school that would be housed in the building, and opponents butted heads with supporters as dozens signed up to speak. NY1’s Zack Fink filed the following report.The K293 building in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn is already home to two secondary schools and one special education program, but Department of Education officials say there's still space for 700 students.
Success Academy Charter Schools wants to use up 190 of those spots for a charter that would serve kindergarten through fourth grade.
Some parents said they are behind that idea.
"2007 was a boom for Brooklyn. Lots and lots of babies. And we all need to go to elementary school. Some of us have great options in this neighborhood, others have less than stellar options, and it’s my ethical responsibility to find a good school for my son. So I'm supporting the charter school," said parent Liz Williams.
But there were some fierce opponents at a public hearing Tuesday night.
About 70 people signed up to speak, some of whom claimed to be part of the Occupy Wall Street movement. One person was ejected.
For other opponents, the issue is about how public resources are allocated.
"Unfortunately, the DOE doesn't seem to put the same priority, love and interest in building up the public schools that they do with charters, and it just raises a lot of questions,” said teacher Brian Jones. “Why do they have to come into public school buildings, why do we have to have a competitive system of education?"
A competing plan is also on the table for the space. Elected officials and others want to use it for an early childhood education program.
"There is an enormous need in this district for pre-K and K classes. They are all oversubscribed. You even have to pay a lot of money to go to private pre-K and K, and they are oversubscribed, too," said Assemblywoman Joan Millman.
The Panel for Educational Policy has scheduled a vote on the co-location for December 14. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has been supportive, controls a majority of votes on the panel, and the co-location is expected to be approved.