Prospect Heights Parents Rally To Keep Middle School Open and Charter Schools Out

Parents critical of into 80 Underhill Ave. erupted into a chorus of "Whose children? Our children," during a rally at Duryea Presbyterian Church yesterday afternoon.

Children from the school were dressed as sardines, to drive home the point that three schools in one building is too much.

"Three schools in one building is unfair, not only unfair to our students, but to all the students from all three schools," aid P.S. 9 parent Catherine Jhung before the packed room in the basement of the church located at 362 Sterling Pl. 

The rally also included parents from P.S. 316 and M.S. 563, at 750 Classon Ave., who are from coming into their building.

The Panel for Educational Policy will decide the fate of M.S. 571 on Thursday, Feb. 3. The vote will not only decide whether the ailing middle school will close, but also determines the future of Brooklyn East Collegiate Charter School, an expanding charter school planned to replace M.S. 571 and whether Explore Charter School will come into 750 Classon Ave.

Under the plan, Brooklyn East would move in as M.S. 571 phases out, adding an additional grade each year. Three schools would share the building until 2013, when M.S. 571 closes permanently.

But parents to support three schools.

Even without Brooklyn East, the building is so crowded that 6-year-old Conner Noves doesn't get to use the gymnasium, said his mother Fiona Noves.

"He doesn't get to use the gym until the end of this year," said Noves, of Prospect Heights, before adding that P.S. 9 already has to "hold gym class in the auditorium. This is going to be compounded when you put more children into that space."

And because Department of Education regulations stipulate that middle schoolers require more library time than elementary students, if two middle schools are in the building, P.S. 9 will only have access to 4.5 hours a week, or 9.5 minutes per week for each of its 29 classes, according to a DoE report.

Councilwoman Letitia James, a vocal opponent of the plan, announced that similar actions at P.S. 11, in Clinton Hill, saved the school from a proposal to house a charter school there. And furor over the , on Classon Avenue in Prospect Heights, has gained traction.

According to New York Department of Education statement read by James, the plan to house Explore Charter School at 750 Classon Avenue is "highly unlikely." The department of education is now looking at other sites to house the charter school.

"This is not an issue just limited to this district," said James. "A significant number of schools have been proposed to close."

The New York Department of Education announced late last year the proposed closure of more than 20 low-performing city schools, including M.S. 571. Opponents argue that schools like M.S. 571 were allowed to fail in order to make room for growing charter schools.

"The phase out of M.S. 571 had to be arranged first in order that Brooklyn East Collegiate could achieve full scale at the peril of 571," said James. "It is clear that the D.O.E. has no issue with sacrificing an existing middle school."

State Sen. Eric Adams emphasised the importance of sticking together as the Panel for Educational Policy's decision nears.

"We're drawing a line in the sand at P.S. 9, enough is enough," said Adams. "Our backs are against the wall. We can't allow our children to be displaced.

"Every elected official must decide, are they on the side of parents or are they on the side of City Hall and the madness that has taken over our eduction system? I'm on the side of parents."

Edna James, grandmother of three M.S. 571 students, plans to continue to fight for the school, even though the odds are stacked against the middle school.

"My feeling is the DOE has put its stamp on the proposal to phase out our school and they are going to do it they are just waiting for the ink to dry," said Edna James. "But we can fight for it."

Additional rallies have been planned for Feb. 1 at 4:30 p.m. before a Panel for Educational Policy's vote on M.S. 571 and Brooklyn East and on Feb. 3 at 4:30 p.m before another meeting of the panel. Both protests will be at Brooklyn Technical High School, at 29 Fort Greene Place.