NEW YORK—Contentions over classroom space has divided a community in Harlem. Supporters of Public School (PS) 123 gathered in protest in front of the school on Tuesday while representatives from the Harlem Success Academy (HSA) stood quietly nearby.
The two schools, which share the same building, are in conflict because classroom space was recently taken from the PS 123 and given to the HSA, a charter school.
According to PS 123 president Antoinette Hargrove, the New York Department of Education (DOE) did not give the school proper notice before contractors came to remodel classrooms for the switch.
“The charter school needs to learn to mind its manners,” said Representative Keith Wright during the rally. Keith later said that mayoral arrogance is “pitting charter versus public schools.”
According to HSA, the DOE gave PS 123 proper notice of the classroom switch. On May18, the DOE senior director of space and facilities planning, sent an email to Beverly Lewis, president of PS 123, stating that after July 1 HSA could begin renovations in 21 third-floor classrooms in the building. PS 123 would retain the use of 38 other classrooms for its 644 students.
Renovations of the classrooms are stalled until the two sides can reach an agreement.
The DOE has ambitious plans to increase the number of charter schools in New York City from 78 to over a hundred by 2010.
Charter schools are free, independent public schools, run by a board of trustees. They use random selection and accept all students who are eligible for public education.
The two schools, which share the same building, are in conflict because classroom space was recently taken from the PS 123 and given to the HSA, a charter school.
According to PS 123 president Antoinette Hargrove, the New York Department of Education (DOE) did not give the school proper notice before contractors came to remodel classrooms for the switch.
“The charter school needs to learn to mind its manners,” said Representative Keith Wright during the rally. Keith later said that mayoral arrogance is “pitting charter versus public schools.”
According to HSA, the DOE gave PS 123 proper notice of the classroom switch. On May18, the DOE senior director of space and facilities planning, sent an email to Beverly Lewis, president of PS 123, stating that after July 1 HSA could begin renovations in 21 third-floor classrooms in the building. PS 123 would retain the use of 38 other classrooms for its 644 students.
Renovations of the classrooms are stalled until the two sides can reach an agreement.
The DOE has ambitious plans to increase the number of charter schools in New York City from 78 to over a hundred by 2010.
Charter schools are free, independent public schools, run by a board of trustees. They use random selection and accept all students who are eligible for public education.