City Postpones Community Roots Expansion Vote

A crucial vote on the city’s proposal to expand a charter school into existing space used by two other public schools was abruptly postponed on Friday amid concerns that it may be shot down like another similar plan in Prospect Heights.

The Department of Education had planned to have a formal public hearing on Monday regarding its plan to increase Community Roots Charter School’s enrollment by 150 students in 2013. A final vote on the plan was set for April 28.

But next week's meeting was cancelled, and the vote by the so-called Panel for Education Policy was delayed until May 18 in the middle of a growing furor among outraged parents at P.S. 67 and P369K, schools that share the same building on St. Edwards Place.

An email sent to Community Roots parents from the school's administrators said that the delay was the result of a “a technical error” the DOE discovered in its proposal.

But rumors were swirling that the postponement was the result of last week’s decision by the New York State Commissioner of Education to strike down a highly similar “co-location” of schools in Prospect Heights.

“No one at Community Roots has been told what the errors are,” explained parent Leslie Rubin, “We suspect that the situation at P.S. 9 [in Prospect Heights] prompted the DOE to go back and review all pending co-location proposals.”

The news came hot on the heels of an entirely new proposal by Councilwoman Letitia James, which suggested Community Roots leave the P.S. 67 building altogether.

In a March 31 letter to then-Deputy Mayor Dennis M. Walcott —   — James proposed that the charter school move into the P.S. 287 building that will be partially in 2012, pending city approval.

“I come to you with a feasible alternative to the proposal that will accommodate all school communities, as well as reduce apprehension,” wrote James. “With my proposal, all three schools will continue to prosper while benefiting the many families."

Community Roots Co-Director Allison Keil was skeptical about whether James' plan would be taken seriously.

“I would certainly be open to the discussion,” said Keil, “Unfortunately, principals do not have any power in how these decisions are made. It is completely up to them.”

The uproar began last month when the DOE announced the plan to add a middle school to Community Roots’ existing K-5 elementary program.

A backlash quickly developed among parents from the other two schools in the building, who said that the expansion would reduce classroom space for students at P.S. 67, and compromise the therapy sessions needed by disabled students who attend P369K.

A spokeswoman for James, Simone Hawkins, sounded a hopeful note regarding  the delayed hearing.

“We are very appreciative that the DOE is taking a closer look at the proposal.” Hawkins said. “The fight goes on until a final decision has been made.”

The Department of Education did not respond to requests for clarification on the delay.