BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
YOUTH/HUMAN SERVICES/EDUCATION COMMITTEE
MAY 24, 2017
Attendance:
P. Bellenbaum P T. Jackson P F. Brown A F. Jean A E. Felder E J. Li E R. Freeman P B. Solotaire E K. Gurl P S. Turet P L. Hill A R. Underwood P
P = present, E = excused, A = absent
Guests: V. Sell – Rep. for Hon. Brad Lander, City Council Member L. Gerthoffer L. Rosenberg L. Kesner O’Brien S. Gersten
***MINUTES***
Presentation and discussion with District 15 Community Superintendent Anita Skop, and representatives for Council Member Brad Lander, on various initiatives designed to enhance the diversity of the student population at local schools within Community School District 15.
Presentation and discussion with District 15 Community Superintendent Anita Skop, and Vicki Sell, representing NYC Council Member Brad Lander on public education issues.
Superintendent Skop and Ms. Sell led a lengthy discussion on the topic of segregation in NYC public schools. They discussed a goal of having students who qualify for free or reduced lunch make up 30% of enrollment in several schools. Some schools have implemented that initiative with greater or lesser success, and the possible mitigating factors were debated.
Other topics discussed included: Complex needs for vulnerable communities who may prefer not to participate in school desegregation initiatives—undocumented immigrant families may prefer to be in a school with other families, close to home, who are dealing with similar circumstances. The DOE’s intention to release a plan in June for how segregation might be addressed city-wide. Middle School choice and admissions procedures, and how they’re more problematic with challenges that differ from the issues faced by zoned elementary schools.
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New construction in Gowanus and how the city is planning to deal with rezoning to accommodate families in new housing along the canal. The work of such community groups as the NYC Coalition for Educational Justice and ASID—NYC Alliance for School Integration and Desegregation. An animated conversation between concerned parents, committee members, and guests looked at the crucial topics of race and school equity, and debated how best to ensure access to quality schools for all children citywide.
Other business: Committee did not have a quorum to approve minutes from the April 26, 2017 meeting.
Meeting was adjourned.
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