By Bill Parry
Mayor Bill de Blasio met with parents and teachers at PS 69 in Jackson Heights Monday and afterward at a news briefing he outlined the major school reforms that are part of his executive budget and teachers contract.
The sweeping changes include $4.4 billion in capital funds over the next four years to ease overcrowding and expand universal pre-K for 50,000 children as well as increase after-school programs for 100,000 more middle schoolers.
“These aren’t pilot programs that help a lucky few; they are foundational changes that will lift up schools in every neighborhood,” de Blasio said. “The strategic investments we are making recognize parents as true stakeholders, empower our educators and help students succeed.”
In addition, the mayor said the $4.4 billion executive budget also allocates $20 million for arts education across the city in fiscal year 2015 as well as increased parent-teacher interaction, which is part of the new contract with the United Federation on Teachers.
Each teacher will dedicate 40 minutes every Tuesday to reach out to parents by e-mail, letter, telephone or face-to-face meeting. The contract also doubles the number of evening parent-teacher conferences.
The $4.4 billion over the next four years includes a phase-out of most of the portable classrooms, something that pleased Borough President Melinda Katz.
“Getting the kids out of those trailers is key,” she said. “This budget provides for getting kids into classrooms,”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
