BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña will take questions from parents at a town hall meeting planned in Bedford-Stuyvesant, officials said.
The District 16 Community Education Council will host the event at M.S. 267 on Gates Avenue near Stuyvesant Avenue on March 21, with families seeking answers to issues in their school communities, said CEC16 President NeQuan McLean.
“At the top of our list is gifted and talented,” McLean said.
Parents and community leaders in central Brooklyn have long called for a gifted and talented program for the district, which covers most of Bedford-Stuyvesant and northern Crown Heights.
The city's Department of Education is aware of community interest for a program, according to spokesman Harry Hartfield, and is working with the district's superintendent and partners to consider proposals.
Another topic expected from parents include worries of too many charter schools in the district, McLean added.
The CEC recently called for a two-year moratorium on charter school placements in the neighborhood.
In a February letter to the council, the DOE responded that “at this point in time,” they do not plan on pursuing any additional charter co-locations in the district for the 2016-2017 school year.
At Monday’s meeting, parents will also likely bring up concerns of “customer service” within the schools, according to McLean.
“Parents may have an issue at the school and feel like it’s not addressed properly,” he said, adding that it could contribute to why parents send their children outside the district.
The DOE redoubled its focus on developing stronger relationships between schools and their communities, officials said, including the addition of extra time for families to connect with teachers and training for parent coordinators. Districts also have family support coordinators to address parent issues.
The CEC is gathering questions via an online form and attendees who wish to speak will be asked to fill out cards before the start of the town hall.
The chancellor’s office will collect unanswered questions and parents will be able to receive a response later on, McLean said.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to come out and voice their concerns,” he said.
Following the town hall, CEC16 will continue with a meeting to discuss passing resolutions on the proposed opening and co-location of a special education program within the district, as well as the proposed consolidation of P.S. 308 and P.S. 25.
The town hall with Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña will be held on Monday, March 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at M.S. 267, 800 Gates Ave. near Stuyvesant Avenue.
