This resolution has been approved by Community Education Councils in District 1 in Manhattan, District 20 in Brooklyn and District 30 in Queens. Please let us know if your CEC has approved it as well by emailing us at info@classsizematters.org
Resolution
Opposing Provisions in the NY State Budget for 2014-2015 Requiring
the Department of Education Provide Space at Public Expense of Charter
Schools
WHEREAS Charter Schools in New York City frequently displace
public school students from existing school facilities and create overcrowded
conditions; and
WHEREAS Charter Schools in New York City have been shown by the
City’s Independent Budget Office to receive more public funding per pupil than
public schools; and
WHEREAS Charter Schools in New York City have spent over 5
million dollars in fees to public relations and advertising firms in their
campaign to demand public space; and
WHEREAS Charter Schools in New York City receive backing from
wealthy investors who benefit from federal tax credits valued at millions of
dollars under the Federal New Markets program; and
WHEREAS Charter Schools have resources and the means to find their
own facilities outside of the Department of Education’s building inventory;
WHEREAS the New York State Budget for 2014-2015 requires that New
York City’s Department of Education provide space at no cost to Charter
Schools, thereby severely curtailing local control of city schools and placing
public school students at a distinct and unfair disadvantage; and
THEREFORE, be it resolved that Community Education Council 1 is
opposed to these provisions;
THEREFORE, be it resolved that Community Education Council 1
hereby calls upon the Senate to introduce new legislation rescinding the
provisions requiring the Department of Education to provide free space to
Charter Schools, thereby restoring local control of city schools ; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Community Education Council 1 hereby
calls upon Governor Cuomo to allow the Mayor to oversee the usage of NYC public
school space in accordance with the State Education Law of mayoral control.
Unanimously approved on April 23, 2014
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