By Scott Sieber
Debra Perry, project support manager for the School Construction Authority, said 441 of the new seats will be created with the construction of PS 244, a pre-kindergarten to third grade school planned for Franklin Avenue in Flushing with money from the Campaign of Fiscal Equity lawsuit.The remaining 189 seats are planned for another early childhood school, although details for that institution have yet to emerge. Roughly 50 projects are scheduled to be completed over the next two years, totaling more than $90 million.Perry presented the information as part of the city Department of Education's 2005-2009 five-year capital plan during the quarterly meeting of Community Education Council 25.More than 100 people turned out to hear the presentation and to listen as district administrators prepped parents on the new guidelines for the middle school application process.But before delving into the next year, officials encouraged the packed house to take the initiative and come forward with suggestions on either new school sites or needed school repairs.”We've been asked to give in five (suggestions), not a big list,” said President Judith Bergtraum. “If you as a parent have a repair that you'd like to see done, we have to submit it by Jan. 15. You are our eyes and ears. Pick up the phone and call.”She said parents can call the district office at 718-281-3786.Superintendent Diane Foley later presented the new guidelines for parents seeking to apply for their children to one of the 12 specialty middle schools that may exist outside their zoned district. Next year, all of District 25 will be rezoned, cutting sixth grade out of all elementary schools. Parents of children looking to attend another middle school, such as the World Journalism School, or the planned Bayside Enrichment Long Distance Learning Academy, may attend any of the open houses and apply.But parents may only apply to one school for their child. If the student is denied the request to attend a particular school of choice, then officials said, the only recourse is to attend the zoned school. “If you're not lucky and you don't get picked, you have the right to your zoned school,” Foley said. Paula Super, the borough enrollment director for the Office of State Enrollment Planning and Development, said students who want to switch schools because they do not like the one they chose after attending for a few months, will be handled on a case-by-case basis.But all school officials noted that such actions are strongly discouraged.”I want to make this clear. It's not a revolving door,” Foley said. “If you go to a school and don't like it, you don't automatically transfer to another school. I strongly suggest you visit these programs before you decide.”Reach reporter Scott Sieber by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
