Report: School Overcrowding Uneven In Queens

A recent report shows that while some Queens schools are bursting at the seams, other schools are operating below capacityeven as they are set to gain seats under school construction plans.
Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaums report shows that since the last five-year capital plan for school construction was formulated in 1999, demographic shifts have caused some previously overcrowded districts in Queens to be projected at under capacity this school year.
However, Queens Districts 27 and 30, which were overcrowded last year but are operating a few percentage points below capacity this year, are together slated to receive about 2,300 new seats currently under construction.
Additionally, in District 26, 700 new seats are being built for a district that already has several hundred seats open.
Instead of five-year plans, Gotbaum suggested in a phone interview, "Maybe they have to be more flexible, and have a look at the whole reality of the demographics every year and make some adjustments."
Department of Education spokesman Kevin Ortiz said that the recent combination of the School Construction Authority (SCA) and the Division of School Facilities would alleviate problems associated with school construction planning.
"That is something that will be addressed by the new president of the SCA," said Ortiz.
Building schools relieved overcrowding in some areas, and according to Gotbaum, local elected officials have been able to use their clout over the years to get schools built in their districts.
While a combined nearly 7,000 seats are currently being built for Queens overcrowded Districts 24, 29 and 78Q, the misdirection of some new seats into uncrowded districts will not help overcome the boroughs severe school overcrowdingthe worst in the city overall, according to the report.
High birthrates and immigration into the borough contributed to school overcrowding in Queens, according to Gotbaum.
As a whole, Queens schools are running at 112% capacity, with crowding worse at Queens high schoolsrunning at 119% this year.
The report concludes that if educationally-superior smaller high schools are built in Queens, the borough would require 13 to 16 new ones to solve its crowding problems. But only 232 new seats were added to Queens high schools this September.
Another issue identified in Gotbaums report was the Department of Educations definition of crowding, as many students are currently taught in temporary buildings, gyms and libraries.
"A school that is currently listed at a utilization of 100% may have no resource rooms for small group instruction, no art room, no library and no gym because of overcrowding," the report stated.
In addition, "There does not appear to be a plan to eliminate temporary uses, such as temporary buildings, transportables and inappropriate room conversions."
The need for new classrooms in the earlier grades may become even more acute due to phasing in of smaller class sizes, said the report.
As part of Schools Chancellor Joel Kleins "Children First" initiative to reform the school system, Queens parents will have an opportunity to give their input on Thursday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Thomas Edison High School, 165-65 84th Avenue in Jamaica.