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CEC Meeting Reveals The Phasing Out Of Local Intermediate School
CEC member Albert Tannis said, "Across the city, parents do not have a voice. We basically hear about changes after the changes are made." First Vice President Derek Booker told of going to a Chancellor's meeting that was only attended by eight people. No one seemed to know about the meeting even though important issues were being voted on. Booker stated, "This is how the Capital Plan was passed. Very few people attended the meeting and it was only their voices that were heard." CEC Secretary Jennifer Duncan, echoed Tannis' sentiments. "We are left out of the decision making. We always know things last when they are already done. This has got to change. We, the parents, are in the schools every day. The people making the decisions for our children, their children don't even attend these schools. Our children are suffering and always seem to be put last in the system." I.S. 232 Parent Association president Michelle Griffith, spoke about the successful medical science program at I.S. 232. She explained that Chancellor Joel Klein is phasing out I.S. 232 and its unique science program. Griffith said it is the only junior high school in Brooklyn with such a program. It was pointed out that over 120 fifth graders were accepted to the program for admission next September. They were, she pointed out, not told the program was ending and that the school closing. "This was a prime example of parents not being informed," CEC president Robert Dandridge said. Griffith asked the CEC if they could help salvage the med/science program. Dandridge promised that the CEC members would attend the next PTA meeting at I.S. 232 and will extend their help in any way that they can. Melody Meyer, a spokesperson for the Department of Education, told the Courier yesterday that school officials were alerted of the phase out, which will commence in September, once the decision was reached. She explained that current sixth and seventh graders will finish at I.S. 232, but no new students will be accepted in the fall as three new schools - the East Flatbush Community Research Middle School, the Middle School for Marketing and Legal Studies and the Arts and Media Preparatory Academy - open at the 905 Winthrop Street building. The Academy will only be open to ninth graders in September and gradually become a full four-year-high school by 2011. CEC Treasurer Sharron Lindo told parents that free dental care is available to District 18 children at I.S. 68. Children up to 20 years of age are eligible. Muba Yarofulani announced that parents are going to Albany next Tuesday to speak with a few legislators about test taking, parent empowerment, school safety and other issues. The next scheduled CEC meeting is on March 26 at I.S. 232 at 905 Winthrop Street.
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