I've read enough about the deals worked out in Albany to give charter schools a free ride in the City. It is sickening to the soul. Charters are supposed to move into underutilized schools, rent-free, or receive alternative space at the taxpayer's expense.
Is there anyone who actually believes for a second that the City can spare any "underutilized" space. De Blasio and, indeed, many who elected him, supported his attempts to expand pre-K. Where will these schools find space? Currently, there are many overcrowded schools in the City. We are in a pressure cooker and I shudder to think what will happen in the event of a true emergency.
At other schools, students are banished from their buildings to the backfields to learn in trailers. Can you guess what kind of message this sends to public-school students about their place and value in society?
Last June, the Daily News carried the story about violations of building codes in the City's schools. There were a total of 9,693 violations. Fifty-seven schools had more than two dozen violations. Ninety percent of buildings had violations. There were loose wires, jammed doors and inadequate ventilation. Some violations threatened student health. Union officials pointed out that the 2010-2014 capital budget was $500 million less than the 2005-2009 budget. Shouldn't we guarantee that all our public-school children have safe, secure and satisfactory learning environments before more public space is deeded over to charter schools?
According to the U.F.T.'s Safety and Health Department, Susan S. McKinney Secondary School of the Arts had insufficient space to pair up with a Success Academy. Yet, Eva got her way. She was allowed to commandeer the school's third floor for K-2. Then, of course, she needed more space to expand into a K-4 operation. Her schools continue to grow like parasites on the public-school system. McKinney lost its string program and computer lab. They lost access to most of the third-floor, including its bathrooms. McKinney students have become second-class citizens in their own building.
Stop! We're Not McKinney!
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
Go Back from whence you came.
Stop! We're not McKinney!
Your school is to blame.
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
We take a favored few.
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
Our door is closed to you.
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
Just more doors in your face.
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
But we'll take all your space.
Stop! We're not McKinney!
We make Fort Greene greener.
Stop We're not McKinney!
Blessed is our demeanor.
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
Through our door you won't pass.
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
You are the second class!
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
In our uniforms so neat.
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
Our eyes must never meet!
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
But we are what you lost,
Stop We're not McKinney!
We come in free of cost!
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
Your art school needs no strings
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
We really are the kings.
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
We use the royal "We."
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
We just rule by decree.
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
Get your hand off our door.
Stop! We're not
McKinney!
This is charter-school war.
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