Outrage Grows Over Eva Schools Allowed to Co-Locate

It's no secret that the only reason this charter school was approved was because of political reasons by Chancellor Dennis Walcott to satisfy a powerful charter school operator. ...joint announcement by Councilmen Gentile, Greenfield and Traygor

Today's announcement regarding the continuance of the charter co-locations at I.S. 96, Seth Low, and I.S. 281, Joseph B. Cavallaro, is a huge disappointment. Many of us who are part of the public school system were hopeful that with a new administration, we'd see a real, meaningful change that responded to the needs of the community. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the case... District 20 CEC Pr Rel.

We identified clear criteria and we followed it.... Farina

 I’d like to know what the criteria were – Walk throughs w/ the SLTs and CEC reps should have been made in every case before these decisions were made; were they?.. Leonie Haimson

Not at the R049 building for Eagle Academy. No involvement or walk throughs.-- Francesco Portelos, Chapter Leader, IS 49.

The paltry list of reversals we posted earlier in the day is a major example of de Blasio buckling to the charter lobby.

Two Eva invaded schools in District 20 for upcoming years were being closely watched for reversals, given the outrage expressed at the October PEP shams pushed through by Bloomberg by politicos, parents, students and teachers. Here is the statement released by CEC 20 (Bay Ridge).

Community Education Council District 20

415-89^TH Street, Room 511 Brooklyn, N.Y. 11209 Phone (718) 759-3921 Fax (718) 759-3920 E-mail CEC20@schools.nyc.gov Web site www.CEC20.org

    PRESS RELEASE

    CEC20 on Seth Low and Cavallaro Charter Co-Locations

Today's announcement regarding the continuance of the charter co-locations at I.S. 96, Seth Low, and I.S. 281, Joseph B. Cavallaro, is a huge disappointment. Many of us who are part of the public school system were hopeful that with a new administration, we'd see a real, meaningful change that responded to the needs of the community. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the case, as both I.S. 96 and I.S. 281 are still slated for charter co-locations in September 2014.

These co-locations will not only affect public school children and their families, it will negatively affect the surrounding communities. Joining the public school parents, the CECs, and the elected officials who opposed these co-locations was Community Board 11, which issued a resolution in September 2013 opposing the charter co-location of I.S. 281, due to the impact it would have on the area. 

In addition, the Lucretia Marcigliano campus is 400 feet away from I.S. 96, which will house 1100 students. I.S. 96 will have 600 students and the charter will add another 600. Not counting staff from any of the schools, this brings the total number of elementary and middle school students to 2400—all within a one-block segment on Avenue P. Recently, the DOT released a report that showed that 92% of the cars speed within a 1/4 mile of I.S. 96. These are the ingredients for a tragedy!

District 20 is one of the most overcrowded districts in the city and has opened five new elementary schools in recent years. More than half of the student body at I.S. 96 and I.S. 281 are already District 20 students. As students from our new schools graduate, there will only be more junior high school seats needed in the near future. Restricting the number of seats at I.S. 96 and I.S. 281 will restrict the educational future for middle school students in both District 20 and District 21. 

The schools in our districts provide excellent educational opportunities for all children, and we believe that they should receive the full support of the administration to continue their success without being hindered by loss of much-needed space and services.  

And more:

Office of Councilman Vincent J. Gentile
Office of Councilman David G. Greenfield
Office of Councilman Mark Treyger

PRESS RELEASE

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***

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COUNCILMEMBERS FURIOUS OVER APPROVAL OF CO-LOCATIONS 

SOUTHERN BROOKLYN – Last fall, as chants of “No co-location!” and “Build your own school!” echoed outside, parents, teachers and students packed a public hearing at I.S. 281/Joseph B. Cavallaro on the proposed co-location of Coney Island Prep. But today, those cries were silenced.

Co-location is an increasingly pervasive Dept. of Education policy of sharing space within one building by two separate institutions or schools. Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña promised that all plans approved by the Panel for Educational Policy at the end of the Bloomberg administration would be subject to a full review. People were hopeful. But today, the Administration issued their decision on 45 of the 49 co-location proposals from last fall and only 9 were withdrawn or reversed. 

“If the overarching consideration is what’s in the best interest of the students, then we should deny these charters entry into District 21,” Councilman Vincent Gentile said. “I am very disappointed because the decision to co-locate Coney Island Prep with I.S. 281 does not square with the facts as we presented. I’ve said repeatedly that Cavallaro is already busting at the seams and there is no need for an elementary school in this area. However, there is an overwhelming need for middle school seats. Additionally, I.S. 281 has a District 75 school located within and Coney Island Prep already has a location at St. Simon and Jude with more than enough space. Therefore, one must question the motivation behind wanting to expand within the public school system when they already have all the space they need a nearby private school.”

“I am extremely disappointed in the decision to allow the co-location of a charter school at I.S 96 (the Seth Low School) that our district does not need or want,” Councilman David G. Greenfield said. “This co-location will come at the expense of the school's dedicated staff and hard-working students. It's no secret that the only reason this charter school was approved was because of political reasons by Chancellor Dennis Walcott to satisfy a powerful charter school operator. This proposal does not take into account the students' needs or the impact this will clearly have on this important school. I intend to work with my colleagues to fight this decision tooth and nail.”

“As we applaud the reversal of the decision to co-locate John Dewey High School, it defies logic that the Department of Education would proceed with the co-location of Cavallaro and Seth Low,” said Councilman Mark Treyger. “The co-location of Cavallaro is simply not feasible. Do the math. Cavallaro does not have the space to accommodate another school. It will be a detriment to Cavallaro and the incoming charter school that will create an unsafe environment for our children. In regards to Seth Low, Success Academy has not attended a single public hearing on the proposed co-location and has shown a lack of respect for all stakeholders involved. Seth Low has made great strides in recent years and co-location will severely impact the principal’s ability to actualize the vision for Seth Low. Like Dewey High School, the proposed co-locations of Cavallaro and Seth Low should be scrapped. We will actively work with parents, school administrations, community organizations, CEC 20 and 21, local elected officials, and all stakeholders to fight these ill-advised and unfeasible co-locations."