By Stephen Stirling
DOE spokeswoman Melody Meyer said that after investigating the site and taking the community's feelings into consideration, the city decided that any potential plans for the 900-student building would not be taken further. State Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) said he personally reached out to DOE Chancellor Joel Klein's office to ensure no changes at the school were made. Padavan pointed out that the school recently received an A in the recently released DOE progress reports that rated each public school in the city, achieving the second-highest score of any school in Queens. Padavan said he believes the school should be used as a model for success in New York City and that adding a new program or school to the building would only hinder what they have accomplished. “Thanks to the teachers, administrators and parents of PS 21Q, the success of the students is truly remarkable,” Padavan said. “I am confident that the success of PS 21Q will continue as we move into the future.”Earlier this month, Meyer said a letter was sent to PS 21 Principal Debbie Buszko along with several other principals across the borough to analyze what space may be available to alleviate overcrowding in schools. Meyer emphasized that the letter was strictly preliminary and no final determination had been made about PS 21 or any of the other schools that received the correspondence.”The letter was sent specifically to get feedback from the principal,” Meyer said. PS 21 parent Laura DelGrecco said parents were concerned that adding a new program and new students to the school, located at 147-36 26th Ave., would steal seats away from children in the neighborhood and bring the overall quality of the school down.”Bringing more students into the school will make it worse for our students,” DelGrecco said.Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at Sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
