Schools
VIDEO: Panel Votes to Replace M.S. 571 with a Charter School
Vote to bring in Brooklyn East Collegiate Charter School infuriates middle school parents as well as those at P.S. 9, which shares the building.
In a marathon hearing that was as spirited as it was chaotic, the Panel for Educational Policyvoted to close M.S. 571 last night, approving a to replace the ailing middle school with a charter school.
The decision elicited a chorus of jeers from assembled parents, whose school currently shares space with M.S. 571 at 80 Underhill Avenue.
This fall, Brooklyn East Collegiate Charter Schoolwill move in, sharing the building with the two schools.
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The early morning vote passed 8 to 4 after a defeated attempt by panel member Gbubemi Okotieuro, of Brooklyn, to postpone the vote. In total, the panel approved 20 resolutions that closed 13 schools and colocated numerous others in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.
“These are never early decisions and a great deal of time and thought and angst has gone into them,” said New York City Schools Chancellor Cathie Black, “and we feel that we have come out in the right place.”
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Late last year, the New York City Department of Education identified more than 20 low-performing schools citywide planned for closure. The schools, like M.S. 571, were declared “” by the department of education.
The announcement angered parents of students at failing schools, who accused the department of education of not providing the resources needed to succeed. Parents and students organized, protesting and attending .
Thursday night, the hearing repeatedly grinded to a halt as parents shouted down panel members, chanting “let us grow” and waving signs amid a cacophony of some 2,000 screaming parents, students and public officials.
“It is very disappointing to see a school that has made such wonderful strides and attracted the community to be treated like this,” said Rebecca Shulman Herz, a parent of two P.S. 9 students.
Many P.S. 9 parents expected the panel to vote the closure and co-location through. But the battle, they said, is far from over.
“The P.E.P. has a reputation as a rubber stamp authority,” said William Clark, parent of a first grader at P.S. 9. “I don’t think people are going to take it.”
