Attention Brooklyn parents: it’s time to speak out.
That’s the message local educators are delivering to parents in hope that they will attend important rallies and public hearings affecting the future of the public school system.
Two events – a public hearing about mayoral control and a rally to demand additional education funding – will both be held on March 5.
“I didn’t realize that the Borough Hall hearing and the rally are on the same day but you can do both,” said Laurie Windsor, president of the Community Education Council (CEC) in School District 20.
Borough President Marty Markowitz and the borough’s CECs will host a public hearing to allow parents, educators and community members to voice their opinions on the current form of school governance.
The hearing will be held at Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, from 6 – 8 p.m. Those wishing to speak at the hearing may RSVP to Margaret Kelley, education policy analyst, by calling 718-802-3839.
Earlier in the day, there will be a rally to demand additional funding for public schools and protest possible teacher layoffs.
“We are all concerned about the budget cuts in New York City,” said Ellen Driesen, School District 20’s United Federation of Teacher’s (UFT) representative.
Even though President Barack Obama has signed a $787 billion stimulus package, which is sending $24.6 billion to New York State, financial problems may still lie ahead.
“That doesn’t mean we’re done,” Driesen cautioned.
Under the stimulus package, New York City will reportedly receive $1.1 billion for education.
The city Department of Education (DOE) faces a $1.4 billion deficit for the next fiscal year.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the federal funding could help prevent teacher layoffs.
If the public school system abruptly lost 15,000 teachers, class size would increase dramatically.
“When you cut teachers, class size gets bigger and bigger and bigger,” Driesen said. “We want to make sure that Albany gets the money and that it gets directed to education. Come out and join me on March 5.”
The UFT will hold the rally on March 5 at 4 p.m. outside of City Hall. For updated information, visit www.uft.org or contact 212-777-7500.
