“New York City Should Build Up These Schools…Not Tear Them Down!”

Brooklyn, NY – Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement expressing her concern about the New York City Department of Education (DOE) considering the closure of several public schools in Brooklyn and across New York City:

“I am very concerned and saddened that the New York City Department of Education is considering closing 26 schools that the City says are failing or underperforming.  Paul Robeson High School and M.S. 571 are two of the schools that reside in my congressional district and proposed by the DOE for a phase-out and replacement. While I share concerns about the performance levels of these schools, New York City should use this as an opportunity to build up these schools, not tear them down,” stated Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.  “The truth of the matter is that the closing of these schools only weakens our children’s ability to learn and become productive citizens and leaders.”

Schools that are being considered for closure in Brooklyn include:

        •     Paul Robeson High School 
        •     M.S. 571;
        •     P.S. 260 Breuckelen;
        •     P.S. 114 Ryder Elementary;
        •     P.S. 332 Charles H. Houston; and
        •     Metropolitan Corporate Academy High School.

“It is my hope that the DOE strongly considers the benefits to restoring these schools, and setting our children on the right track academically.  Phasing out our public schools does not address the real problem that lies at the heart of our struggling education system.  I urge DOE to engage teachers, students, parents/guardians, community leaders, and education stakeholders to identify common sense solutions and innovative ways to adequately and immediately reform our educational system.  In the end, it is our children, the future leaders of tomorrow, who will suffer if we do not address this problem,” concluded Rep. Yvette D. Clarke. 

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