New school regs taking shape, are open for public comment

By Kate Pastor

Whether it’s a new gifted and talented program placed at PS 7 or a new principal at PS 24, these changes are governed by chancellor’s regulations. Now those regulations are being given a facelift.

The Panel for Educational Policy has proposed amendments in line with changes in state law, and is taking oral and written public comment until Friday, Nov. 9, before voting on the changes Thursday, Nov. 12.

Under consideration is a regulation that would implement a system-wide policy for student promotion, effectively ending social promotion from grades three through six, Community Education Council 10 President Marvin Shelton said, as well as a new one that would require CECs be consulted when appointing community superintendents (C-37).

In the past, closing a school or changing its use required some consultation with the local CEC, but Mr. Shelton said that didn’t always happen. A new regulation, A-190, would require that changes including school phaseout, grade reconfiguration, re-siting or co-location of schools be accompanied by an impact statement detailing how it would affect the school and those surrounding it, a public hearing and approval by the panel.

Mr. Shelton is encouraging local families to submit their written comments before the Friday, Nov. 9.

He is concerned that a change in the C-30 regulation, which defines how a new school principal is chosen, includes language suggesting that the chancellor’s leadership academy for principals (of which former PS 24 Principal Philip Scharper is a graduate) would become the only source for the new principal pool.

Additionally, placing new gifted and talented programs in schools, he said, should be considered a significant change in school utilization and require the same public vetting process as other changes in use, including an educational impact statement.

Written comments on proposed amendments can be submitted to Panel for Educational Policy, 52 Chambers St. NY, NY 10007.

The next panel meeting, at which a vote will be taken, will be Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. at PS 128 Juniper Valley, 69-10 65th Drive, Queens. Public comment will also be taken there.

For more information about the amendments go to http://schools.nyc.gov/AboutUs/leadership/PEP/default.htm.

This is part of the November 5, 2009 online edition of The Riverdale Press.

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