By Terri Pouymari and Henry Euler
How would you feel if your child was not able to attend the elementary school in his/her own neighborhood but instead had to be bused to an overcrowded school in another area?
For years, this has been the situation for the children living within walking distance of PS 130, located on 42nd Avenue at Francis Lewis Blvd. on the Auburndale/Bayside border. The children are bused instead to three overcrowded elementary schools in District 26.
PS 130, in District 26, is predominantly used by District 25 students, grades K to 3, most of whom are bused or transported to the school from distances far away. The school is a special one for science and technology. There is also a school on the first floor for special needs children.
The residents living around PS 130 have been advocating for years to have the school returned to the local community. The Auburndale Improvement Association has been leading the fight, along with local residents, to return PS 130 to use by neighborhood children.
A new elementary school is under construction on the former Keil property on 48th Avenue and 211th Street. The decision to build a school there, right near PS 31 and MS 158, was a very unpopular one. Despite community opposition, the School Construction Authority and the Department of Education went ahead with the new building.
On April 20, at 7 p.m., the Community District Education Council 26 will hold a public hearing at MS 74, located at 61-15 Oceania St., Bayside. The purpose of the hearing is to get public reaction to the proposed new boundaries being set up to accommodate the new school under construction.
The Auburndale Improvement Association feels that this is the perfect time to advocate for the return of PS 130 to the local community. Now is the moment for movement on this longstanding community issue.
Terri Pouymari, President
Henry Euler, First
Vice President
Auburndale Improvement Association, Inc.
