Klein Gets Earful From Boro Parents
By DOMENICK RAFTER
Administrators, students and teachers from around Corona, Elmhurst, Maspeth, Middle Village and Ridgewood got a chance to voice their issues with City School’s Chancellor Joel Klein on Monday.Klein held a town hall meeting for Community Education Council District 24 at PS 87 in Middle Village where he listened to a series of concerns that ranged from new school construction to standardized testing.
Klein opened the meeting by presenting the audience with positive statistics about education in New York City, including a precipitous drop in crime over the last eight years, and a striking rise in the graduation rate; 33 percent.
“I don’t think there is any other city in America that has gone up like that,” said Klein.
Turning his attention to District 24, Klein noted the district had the largest growth of any district in the city and pointed out statistics that showed high parental and student satisfaction.
Opening the meeting to questions, Klein was immediately asked about extensions and renovations for PS 87, which is terribly underequipped for the number of students it serves. The meeting was held in a small, cramped basement room that is used during school hours for a multitude of purposes. Students at the meeting carried signs complaining about the school’s lack of bathrooms and an equipped gym. Introduced by PS 87 principal Karen McHale, the students showed Klein a video that illustrates the lack of acceptable facilities in the school.
“What these kids have to work with is not much,” said CEC District 24 President Nick Comaianni.
Klein responded by noting that PS 87 was “a priority” and that he would work with the CEC to chart a course for an extension at the school. The school’s extension is a top priority for CEC District 24’s capital plan. Addressing a question as to why the school, which has been asking for an extension for nearly a decade, has consistently been overlooked, Klein pointed to budget problems and “competing demands.”
“How is it the city has money for Governor’s Island, but none for the schools?” asked Rosemary Parker, UFT District 24 representative, alluding to the city’s recent decision to develop Governor’s Island into a park.
Klein told parents that the city’s tax revenue is beginning to grow and there are signs of an economic recovery, hinting that the city’s budget problems might soon ease.
Marge Kolb, President of the PTAs in District 24, criticized the decision to build and open schools as K-8, and start by adding one grade a time.
“Why is it when we have problems with overcrowding, we have these new schools that are entirely empty because we’re only adding one grade at a time,” asked Kolb.
Klein said that the reason the school system has gone to building and opening K-8 schools is because of parent demand.
“I want to be responsive to parents.” He said.
Klein took questions from two members of the city council who were present; Liz Crowley (D-Middle Village) and Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights). Crowley spoke about the possibility that the Beacon program may be moved from PS 153 in Maspeth, a move she said she would oppose. Klein said the Beacon program will remain at PS 153 and was met with thunderous applause from the audience. Crowley also demanded the CEC move quickly on the extension of PS 87.
A former teacher, Dromm said he was worried about the status of education funding and the chances that 8,500 teaching jobs that could be lost if the city loses more education funding from the state.
“We are working at the bare minimum at our schools,” Dromm said.
Klein noted that the loss of the 8,500 jobs is still a possibility and demanded parents and teachers tell their state legislators to keep education funding in the state budget.
A touchy exchange occurred when Klein endorsed state standardized testing to the chagrin of many in the room.
“I got tested all the time,” said Klein, who went to school in nearby Woodside. “Tests are the way you know if students have mastered the work. Too many times our students are being sent out into the world without mastering the work.”
“You’re still doing that!” interrupted one parent, complaining that the 28 percent passing grade is way too low. Klein agreed and said he would support upping the passing grade.
Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 125.