Budget Cuts Threatening To Cramp P.S. 321's Style
The administration and PTA for P.S. 321 on 7th Avenue and 1st Street—widely considered one of the best and most progressive public elementary schools in Brooklyn, if not the entire city—are up in arms about the $125,000 in budget cuts the school is facing, and they’re calling on parents to march at the Department of…
The administration and PTA for P.S. 321 on 7th Avenue and 1st Street—widely considered one of the best and most progressive public elementary schools in Brooklyn, if not the entire city—are up in arms about the $125,000 in budget cuts the school is facing, and they’re calling on parents to march at the Department of Education offices tomorrow. (Principals all over the city have been slamming the slashed DOE budget.) P.S. 321’s principal sent a note home to parents saying the cuts mean the school won’t be able to buy new classroom furniture and certain school supplies (including new math books), and that there will be less money available for the professional development of teachers. On Monday, the PTA co-presidents sent home another letter (see copy on jump) about how the loss of funding will hurt the school; this communication asks parents to show up for the 4:00 p.m. rally in Lower Manhattan tomorrow to protest the cuts. (The rally is distinct from the meeting about the budget cuts that Councilman de Blasio is holding at Borough Hall tonight.) So how does all this circle back to real estate? This is no doubt overly simplistic, but is it possible for the budget cuts to make some would-be Slope buyers (who often move to the neighborhood because of schools like P.S. 321) reconsider, or think about shelling out for private school instead? Or do the strong voices of parents at P.S. 321 affirm the lure of the school and neighborhood? GMAP
2:45 speaks the truth. This is not outrage at budget cuts all over the city for all communities, it’s shock and outrage over budget cuts at a school considered immune from such things because it’s privileged and elitist and “the best”. The expectation at PS 321 would be for all other schools to get budget cuts but not theirs. Seriously.
Really says something about the limo-liberals of Park Slope.
I actually thought the story here was that budget cuts are affecting every single school, but the Park Slope crowd are only concerned about the budget cuts at PS 321.
Or maybe I just got that from how they presented it at on the PS Parent’s boards — because that was pretty much the gist.
Is it a real estate story? Yes. Just not a happy liberal one where everyone lives together in peace and harmony.
who remembers the bad ass grafitti murals back in the day in the 321 yard? we need to bring those back.
So, back to the original question – I don’t think anyone will rethink a Park Slope purchase because of these cuts. However, if other cuts start having a widespread effect the realtors operating that Montclair tour might want to rent a double decker.
5:40 – Your coop has increased exactly 0% until you actually sell it. Paper Wealth counts for nothing these days.
I wonder if these budget cuts are an issue at PS 29. I must get ready for the cocktail fund raiser. I would turnover my $600 if I were eligible. That bone was only given to those making less than 75K. life is not fair.
Wow. Can all this arguing really be over trying to EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN!!!!?? We ought to be ashamed. This is supposed to be one of the most accepting cities on the planet. From what I see here I can only conclude that we spend most of our days harboring anger and resentment over our neighbor’s relative wealth. It is no wonder that, as a country, we are ridiculed around the world for our shortsighted, materialistic view of the world. By the way my coop has increased in value over 900% and I do not live in 321’s zone. LOL!!!
I am being fair – Teachers get off ALL OF July and nearly ALL OF August (and quite a few “lite” days in June) – plus a week around X-Mas, a week in February and week in the Spring – plus all the regular state and federal holidays.
5:00- be fair. 160 days off includes weekends. By that standard, my 3 weeks of holidays would mean 119 days off.
Also, there is no way a teacher’s work day is only 7 hours once grading, class prep etc is factored in.