It took nearly a year for Community Board 1 to get a meeting with Barbara Esmilla, principal of Murry Bergtraum High School, to discuss disturbances the students were causing in the neighborhood. High school students frequently scuffle in front of the Burger King on Fulton St. after school, and some community members said they felt unsafe despite an increased police presence.
Paul Goldstein, from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s office, organized the small, private meeting with Esmilla earlier this month. The board sees it as a first step toward holding a larger, public meeting with the principal.
At the meeting, the Department of Education suggested a potential solution: This summer the D.O.E. will transfer students who have been misbehaving to other high schools, said Goldstein.
Margie Feinberg, spokesperson for the D.O.E., said in an e-mail that Esmilla meets with parents whose children are struggling every year and that parents must approve any suggested transfers. Since the process is ongoing, Feinberg could not give an exact number of Murry Bergtraum students who will transfer.
Rebecca Skinner, chairperson of C.B. 1’s Youth and Education Committee, said Esmilla agreed at the meeting to possibly come to the Youth and Ed Committee in the fall to update the board on what’s happening at the school, highlighting student accomplishments.
Esmilla did not return a call for comment.
— Julie Shapiro
