Jersey City parents of Public School No. 16 elementary school students lamented overcrowding, forcing kindergarteners to attend the Danforth Avenue Early Childhood Center this fall, in front of the City Council yesterday.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Jackie Cox had her kindergarten-aged son, Henry, speak during public comment, stating “I love my school” before she addressed the governing body.
“Starting next year, kindergarten will be ripped from our community because of what the superintendent herself calls a crisis,” Cox said.
“Tower after tower arises on the waterfront. … That growth represents an estimated 3,500 additional students … Where are these kids going to school? P.S. 16 is bursting at the seams. Teachers have stretched every inch of the building.”
She called for a permanent school in the vicinity of P.S. 16, which is located at 96 Sussex St. in the Paulus Hook section downtown, asking how such a concept could be moved forward.
Cox also said she appreciated the three minutes to speak and again criticized the Jersey City Board of Education (BOE) for cutting their speaking time last week, as she did in an editorial on Monday, to applause.
Another P.S. 16 parent, Shannon Gaul had her son Timothy give brief remarks to the council as well.
“I love going to school in my neighborhood. I have two little brothers. I hope they can go to kindergarten in our neighborhood too,” the young student said.
“They need to be able to walk to school and see their friends from school in their community. That’s how community is built,” Gaul argued, noting the commute would be at least a half hour each way and that overcrowding will occur in every school district.
Later, Rosanna Silber complained about how overcrowding could have negative effects on youth development.
“Kindergarten is foundational. It is the year children learn to be students … We need a permanent neighborhood school … Deliver a solution on the scale of the building the city has embraced,” she exclaimed.
Amy Kommatas stated that “growth was incentivized, infrastructure was not” and criticized that the BOE was now owning the issue, developing no concrete plan or timeline.
Ward E Councilwoman Eleana Little, who represents downtown, said that all electeds are working together to rectify the state aid formula for school, though acknowledged it is unlikely come in time to stop P.S. 16 students from attending the Danforth center.
“I appreciate the parents coming out and making time. You were heard tonight,” added Ward B Councilman Joel Brooks.
Priscilla Liu also expressed displeasure about the plan for P.S. 16 students.
“It shortens the time children spend time learning … it significantly limits our ability to participate in school life,” she argued.
“Families were informed after key deadlines have passed. It has left us in an impossible position.”
Liu also pointed out that 800 people signed their position against the proposed move.
“This room is full of angry parents … Tie new developments to school capacity. Make developers bring solutions,” Yuri Astrakhan declared, adding that the extra total hour for the commute would take a toll.
“Auditoriums can be used creatively…. Displacement should be the last resort.
BOE Trustee Tia Rezabala also approached the council, noting she was speaking as a private citizen.
“I welcome any conversation that can be had … in order to assist the residents,” she said about the parents’ concerns.
Conversely, BOE President Noemi Velazquez said she was there to speak in her official capacity.
“We do respect the needs at number 16 school. We do want to work with the parents … We have developed a committee to look for either space or a building we can refurbish,” she explained.
She continued that the district has been working with Mayor James Solomon and Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore on the matter for quite some time.
“We’ve been trying to get a place for years. There was always an issue with the previous administration. They were always more interested in building buildings than building schools,” Velazquez declared.
The head of the volunteer school board said they had leads with Public School No. 3, though it requires significant renovations.
“Help us find downtown land for a much-needed school,” she concluded to applause.