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
The way math is taught has changed or so I am told. My fifth grader has been through three math programs all courtesy of what the doe thinks is the latest and greatest. He started with TERC, then Everyday Mathematics, and now I have no idea what they are using but I do know there is not consistency or time to build upon newly learned skills. I understand “spiraling” is involved.
I think many students would be better off with used math text books so at least the would learn the basics.
People, I think you’re missing the bigger point here. for years, the city has given tax abatements to all sorts of developments and haven’t forced developers to kick any coin to build schools.
Now the chickens are coming home to roost. Its complete BS. The city can toss a bone to big time developers, but can’t throw a bone to some public school kids….c’mon.
The bigger picture points to the fact that the Feds can waste billions in Iraq, but let the schools and infrastrucure crumble.
Viva la Revolution.
I am NOT The What, by the way….
If all Park Slopers sold their bugaboo’s and gave the money to the school….CHA-CHING.
maybe Park Slope doesn’t have the cachet it used to as there are now lots of good public schools in Brooklyn. Community Roots. Brooklyn New School. PS 261. PS 8. and that Carroll Gardens school everyone raves about.
Given that this cut is an across the board 1.75 cut for all schools maybe people will think twice before buying one of those 3 million dollar Carroll Gardens brownstones. I really don’t think it will have any impact on whether or not people purchase in Park Slope.
I would anticipate that PTA’s will do some targeted fundraising in order to keep the most needed programs or purchase the most needed supplies and materials. Of course the doesn’t help schools that don’t have a large percentage of families that can financially contribute or a very active PTA.
Don’t worry, Park Slopers, your kids will still be previlaged.
Agreed, 10:38. As noted above, this is nothing compared to what many lower-income families have faced for years. I also agree with the poster who asked how much math has changed? Buy used books, for chrissakes.
Yeah, what is the enrollment?
Let’s see:
Shortfall: $120,000+
Total enrollment 1200+
Approx. Shortfall/student: $100
Modest townhouse in zone cost: $2,000,000
Average home cost per square foot: $800
Anyone struggling to muster up sympathy here?