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Education task force takes on overcrowding

The newly–formed District 21 education task force held is first meeting to discuss concerns such as overcrowding.

On Thursday, April 25, Councilmember Julissa Ferreras gathered with Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott, local educators, parents and education advocacy groups at the Langston Hughes Library for the inaugural meeting of the Educational and Overcrowding Improvement Task Force. It is designed to address key issues facing schools in the area.

“With the help of Chancellor Walcott, the School Construction Authority and our community partners, I am happy to say that the task force is here,” Ferreras said. “Not only will it go far in improving communication between our schools and parents, but it will also develop solutions to address some of the long-standing issues our schools are facing.”

Ferreras and elected officials shared details of several goals to improve overcrowding. The goals include more community and parental involvement in rezoning and actively considering capacity in planning for co-locating two or more schools in one building.

Partners in the education task force include members of Community Education Council Districts 24 and 30, representatives from local schools and Parent-Teacher Associations.

Although the first meeting focused on overcrowding, future meetings to be held throughout the year will cover other topics. The ultimate goal is to come up with short- and long-term solutions.

“I look forward to having many more meetings this year and tackling more issues in our schools, such as obesity, safety and after-school programming,” said Ferreras.

 

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