Call to Order
The Open Calendar Meeting of CEC 27 was held on September 19, 2016 at PS 108 – 108-10 109 Avenue South Ozone Park, NY 11420 The meeting began at 7:40 pm and was presided over by Dr. Harold Paez, President.
Attendees
Voting members in attendance included- Joshua Hirschman, Bibi Matadin, Wendy Pratt-Hall, Sherry Algredo, Ronnie Murchinson and Jeaneska Rodriguez, Dr. Harold Paez. Paola Strand, Josette Grippo and Lisa Cooper. There were no absences.
Dignitaries in attendance were Ms. Kenlyn Parsons representing Councilman Rubin Wills and Ms. Maricela Cano representing Councilman Eric Ulrich’s office.
President’s Report – Dr. Harold Paez, President
Dr. Paez welcomed the Superintendent, DOE Staff and the Office of District Planning. Dr. Paez also thanked Ms. Biondollilo, Principal of PS 108 for hosting the CEC.
There was a motion to accept the July minutes with amendments that were discussed in the business meeting. The vote was unanimously accepted.
There was a motion and second to accept the August minutes with amendments discussed in the business meeting. The vote was unanimously accepted.
Mr. Craig Chin, Borough Planner from the Department of Transportation gave a brief update on the new school, Q335 slated to open in September 2017.
The council raised questions to Mr. Chin regarding installing speed bumps on Albert Road to reduce the traffic speed, asking whether Rally Street can be turned into a 1-way street and whether fencing/guard railing can be installed along the Southern boundary of the school where the green space meets the North Conduit roadway. This is seen as a significant safety hazard once students are in attendance.
Mr. Chin requested a written environmental impact statement, in order to view the school capacity and determine the best course of action. Mr. Chin also stated that 92% of the work is complete. However, the contract is covered until the summer of 2018. Mr. Chin stated that the safety engineering team can meet with the principal upon the school opening in September 2017.
The council reiterated to Mr. Chin that the CEC, as well as the community are worried that there will be a disruption to the community by waiting until the school opens before implementing speed bumps.
Dr. Paez asked if anyone would like to comment, that they should sign the speakers list with the AA, Ms. Hazel Wellington.
Office of District Planning – Ms. Albery Corona (see attached for further information)
Ms. Corona stated that the proposal for the rezoning of PS 63, 64, 100, 108, 124, 146 for the new school Q335. The new school Q335 will be located at 9840 Albert Road which is anticipated to open for the 2017-2018 school year. The capacity is for 516 elementary seats, including 96 seats for a D75 program.
Ms. Corona stated that the rationale for rezoning Q335 is to create a zone for the new elementary school in building Q335, providing a new school option for students in Ozone park and South Ozone park, to help reduce overcrowding at elementary schools in the Ozone Park and South Ozone Park communities and to finally plan for the admissions at the new school.
Ms. Corona introduced her colleague Mr. Candell from the Office of District Planning.
Mr. William Candell, Associate Director of Analytics stated that pending approval by the CEC in October 2016, proposed changes would take effect for the 2017-2018 academic.
Mr. Candell also stated that pending approval by the CEC, proposed changes would only impact incoming pre-Kindergarten, kindergarten, or new students to the system. All currently enrolled students may remain in their school until graduation.
*Sibling grandfathering for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students, as determined by CEC 27, will be applicable.
*All impacted schools will continue to admit students according to Chancellor’s regulation A-101.
*The Office of Pupil Transportation will follow standard procedure to determine bus service eligible of general education students as outlined in Chancellor’s regulation A-801.
There were speakers that raised concerns and gave suggestions to the proposed rezoning plan.
Superintendent’s Report – Ms. Mary Barton
The Superintendent welcomed all in attendance and thanked PS 108 for hosting.
The Superintendent highlighted the following schools, PS 60, PS 64, PS 97, PS/MS 183 and PS 254.
The Scholars’ Academy community is celebrating 7 staffers who earned tenue and celebrated with a ceremony on September 13th.
Updates –Equity and Excellence for All- DOE initiatives. There are three key areas of work to advance Equity and Excellence for All:
- Academic Excellence: means striving to ensure every student is college and career ready. We work to meet students’ diverse needs with a variety of in school and afterschool programs and support front line educators and leadership with opportunities for professional development and collaboration.
- Student and Community Support: celebrates supporting the whole child, as well as their family, on their social and emotionally journey inside and outside of the classroom.
- Innovation: allows us to experiment with new programming and initiatives. We aim to provide schools and educators the flexibility and resources they need to meet students and families where they are.
District 27 has been selected to participate in the following Equity and Excellence initiatives in the year 2016-17 school year. All District 27 schools are supported by the Queens South Field Support Center. The field Support Center staff provides school staff with professional leaning around academic and social and emotional learning as well as support around budget, human resources and operations and safety.
District 27 will be participating in the Universal Second Grade Literacy imitative beginning in the 2017-18 school year. More to come on this at a later date.
DOE launched the NYC School Finder (SchoolFinderNYC.gov) on September 12, 2016.
The Superintendent introduced her team and gave upcoming schools closures and exam dates.
Questions were raised to the Superintendent regarding local initiatives to help with math score.
Adjournment
There was a motion made by Dr. Paez and seconded by Ms. Josette Grippo to adjourn the
Open Calendar Meeting and to immediately convene a special Executive Session to discuss internal Council Member issues . The vote was unanimously accepted. The meeting adjourned at 9:55pm.
NYC District 27 CEC 