By John Bayles | In his first appearance at State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s School Overcrowding task force, new City Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott delivered some good news and some bad news.
He told the task force members that the new elementary school, set to open at One Peck Slip in 2014, would become a “reality.” But he also said Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plans to lay off 4,100 teachers was still on the table.
Speaker Silver introduced Walcott as someone of “integrity and dignity” that he had the “utmost respect for.” But Silver pulled no punches as it pertained to the City Department of Education’s tendency to ignore his task force’s recommendations.
“Despite the fact that we have our own expert data collector and analyst, who has been proven correct so many times,” said Silver, “the D.O.E. is still sending our children elsewhere. That is not an adequate solution.”
Silver was speaking of Eric Greenleaf, a professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business, who has been a member of the task force since its inception and who is also a P.S. 234 parent.
“There is a very, very urgent need here,” said Greenleaf. “The current intake is 350 kindergartners per year. Even with Peck Slip, we’ll need 600 more seats.”
Greenleaf told Walcott the overcrowding situation was not just a concern to parents, but to all of “Downtown.” He mentioned the recent news that publishing giant Conde Nast is close to signing their lease at 1 World Trade Center.
“Their employees are attracted to the fact that they can send their kids to school here,” Greenleaf said.
Greenleaf projected that an additional $150-$200 million would be needed in order for the D.O.E. to address the lack of seats by 2014.
“In all seriousness, I want to thank you for your commitment,” Walcott said to Greenleaf. “One thing you’ll learn about me is you will always have an open door with me, and vice versa. My commitment to the Speaker and to this task force is to make sure we work hand-in-hand.”
Walcott promised the task force that his appearance would not be a “unique experience.”
“When you invite me, I’ll be here,” said Walcott.
As for the school at One Peck Slip, the new chancellor said the design process would begin in December 2011, with construction starting in late Fall of 2012 or early 2013. He said a decision still has to be made as to whether the building, currently occupied by the United States Postal Service, would be renovated or demolished and rebuilt.
