In Support for Construction of an Elementary School on Grand Avenue, Maspeth Community School District 24
New York City Land Use Subcommittee Meeting, 5/16/00
Good morning! My name is Evelyn Jones Rich. I am Chair of the Education Committee for New York City Americans for Democratic Action. NYC ADA is the local affiliate of Americans for Democratic Action, an independent liberal political organization, founded in 1947, and dedicated to promoting individual liberty and economic justice. ADA seeks a fair and just society using the tools of education and political action. NYC ADA reflects the liberal, labor agenda in New York City through its involvement in issues that affect the quality of life for all New Yorkers.
I also represent the New York Coalition of 100 Black Women, dedicated to solving the problems facing Black women, our families and communities. The Coalition supports with great enthusiasm projects that meet the needs of all children while paying special attention to the needs of African-American children and youth.
Both NYC ADA and the Coalition are here this morning to assert our support for the construction of a new elementary school in CS 24 at the 73rd Street and Grand Avenue site (also known as "the Staples site" and the "old Edwards site"). We support this new elementary school for several reasons:
1. It provides adequate physical space, an essential ingredient in creating a climate conducive for teaching and learning in CS24;
2. It makes sound educational sense;
3. It supports the idea of educational excellence, a hallmark of Queens schools.
First, it provides needed physical space. CS24 is the most overcrowded district in the City, with 37,262 students and a utilization rate of 117%. Projections for the year 2004 show almost 4500 more students will be enrolled in District 24 schools. The District covers a large area geographically, embraces parts of Community Planning Boards 2, 3, 4, and 5, and is home to five City Council persons - Jon Sabini (25), Karen Koslowitz (29), Walter McCaffrey (26), Tom Ognibene (30), and Helen Marshall (21).
In early May 2000, the National Education Association released a study finding that public school systems will need to spend $322 billion to modernize, accommodate enrollment growth and equip students with educational technology.
New York State ranks first among the five states with the greatest need to expand infrastructure and equip schools with educational technology. The NYC Board of Education has the resources to fund the construction of this school and CS24 has identified and supports construction on the site.
Secondly, the new elementary school makes sound educational sense. The NYS Board of Regents recently instituted new, higher standards for all public school students. Results of the 4th grade mathematics and English tests administered in Winter 98 were disappointing. So, too, performance on the state wide 8th grade test in Fall of 99.
Research demonstrates conclusively that class size reduction is key to improved academic outcomes. Yet, in a District with 80% enrollment (Asian 19%, Hispanic 58.4%, African-American 4.2%, and Native American 1%), the challenge to provide small class size is enormous. Classes meet in closets, gymnasiums, large corridors, even lavatories. Often two teachers share a classroom. There is also a need for pre-kindergarten classes, none of which are present at this moment, to insure early exposure to the essentials upon which basic skills are built.
Finally, Queens schools are widely accepted as very good. Yet, the pursuit of excellence is compromised in inadequate buildings and large classes.
Opposition to this school should not be permitted to stop its construction. Investment in early effective education is the best strategy to promote economic development. Elementary schools are traditionally significantly smaller than high schools, and this 900 student school is designed to avoid high traffic areas, providing needed relief for PS 102 and PS 229.
The changing character of the neighborhood reflects the increasing bi-modal society which characterizes our city as the very old and very young take precedence based upon their large numbers.
The future of Queens, and of our City, depends on our willingness to meet the needs of both groups, which are interdependent. Effective intergenerational programs can bring them together to the benefit of all.
Finally, I am both a professional educator and a Staples stockholder. Staples ran a full page advertisement in this morning's New York Times. It said "staples.compelling," playing on the more familiar staples.com. The advertisement goes on to say that "Money doesn't talk. It screams!" As a Staples stockholder, I say, that our children are talking about - perhaps even screaming for - adequate space. We must listen to our children and not our dollars.
Build the school!
Home.