The Education Mayor? Some Local Schools Think Not

At a rally that drew supporters of schools across the borough to Grand Army Plaza on Friday afternoon, hundreds of protestors issued myriad complaints against Michael Bloomberg’s proposed budget cuts.

But all those in attendance seemed to agree on one thing: the education mayor seems to have forgotten to put education first.

“If I could talk to Mayor Bloomberg,” began PS 10 first grader Dov Alperin, “I would tell him that I know his job is hard, but if he just listened to the majority of New York city, he would hear that we do not want him to fire our teachers.”

The rally was  both in the neighborhood and citywide protesting Bloomberg’s proposed budget, which plans to not only lay off teachers and increase class sizes, but devote mega money to testing and outside schools consultants.

“With all of these budget cuts, I have to carry my blow horn with me all the time these days,” said Councilmember Stephen Levin, D-Brooklyn, calling for Bloomberg to refocus his priorities on teachers, schools and kids.

“I have two kids, three years apart,” said PS 321 mom Sabine Rosenstein, “When one was in kindergarten, the class size was 19. Now for the other, it’s 24. With more and more budget cuts, it can only get worse.”

Bloomberg has proposed laying off eight, four, one and five teachers from PS 321, PS 10, PS 295 and MS 88 respectively.

State Assemblyman Jim Brennan, D-Brooklyn, called for Bloomberg to help in the push to convince Gov. Andrew Cuomo to retain the Millionaire’s Tax, which will sunset this year, as a way to help raise money for the schools system.

“There are many realistic opportunities here,” said Brennan. “The major obstacle is Mayor Bloomberg.”

Councilman Brad Lander, D-Brooklyn, encouraged the kids to organize, calling 311, tweeting, signing letters, handing out flyers and marching down Prospect Park West to inform the Celebrate Brooklyn goers of the woes of the city school system.

But one young, budding comedian from PS 321 seemed to already have the answer: “Budget cuts?” he said, “I think Mayor Bloomberg needs a serious talking to.”