Conflict Story

The Department of Education made yet another list of New York City public schools, excluding Staten Island, to be phased out and closed, due to low graduation rates and overall bad grade. In early January, a proposal was made public that 15 public schools would begin to be phased out, and 2 schools would be closed by summer. The DOE was expected to add more school to the list before voting on the proposal.

Michael R. Bloomberg’s administration has been well known for approving the closing and replacing of public schools, since he took office in 2002. As Mayor, Bloomberg plays a big part in the educational system, as he has the responsibility to appoint 8 members of the Panel for Education Policy, which consists of 13 members and the Chancellor.

On March 11, 2013, an educational public meeting was held at Brooklyn Technical High School, where parents and student voiced their opinion of the proposal. When all was said and done, the panels votes were counted and all 8 of Michael Bloomberg’s appointed members rejected the proposal to close and phase out New York City public schools.

For this conflict proposal, there are a few voices I look to hear from.

First, I wanted to interview a community board member in the district of one of the schools on the list to be phased out or closed down. By interviewing him, I seek to get more information on the standings of the community and why they felt the proposal needed to be denied.

Second, I would like to interview a parent whose child is currently in one of the schools, to get a personal view of the situation.

And last, if possible, I would like to speak to one of the Panel for Education policy members, and get his stance on the proposal and why he may have voted the way he did.