New school building gives home to old battles

Correction appended

At least four groups are looking to open a school inside 3120 Corlear Ave.  

By fall 2012, the first four floors of the mixed-use building, currently undergoing construction, will likely house a school.

But which educational institution will occupy the space that was slated for the now-shuttered Kingsbridge Innovative Design Charter School could turn into a Riverdale battle of epic proportions. 

As groups tour the space, come up with ideas and formulate a vision for the 18 to 20 empty rooms, it is bringing to the surface many of the area’s long-standing feuds.

A group of local parents, about half of them from PS 24, want to open a charter middle school.

Former Community Board 8 budget chairman Alec Diacou, who currently sits on the board of Riverdale Senior Services; the Department of Education; and officials from Mott Hall Charter School, who are trying to find space for their middle school somewhere in the Bronx, are also looking into using the space for a school. 

After KIDS was shut down in June due to a New York State Education Department citation for fiscal mismanagement, among other violations, between 10 and 20 parents — about half of them with children at PS 24 — floated the idea for a charter middle school. 

The parents, who do not like the other local middle school options, have formed a committee and are currently learning about the charter school application process, which can take more than a year.  

One of the group’s leaders, PS 24 parent Cliff Stanton, recently contacted construction manager Eric Chen, who is working on behalf of Corlaton Realty at 3120 Corlear Ave., and asked for another tour of the space. 

When he called, Mr. Stanton learned that Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Riverdale Review publisher Andrew Wolf and Mr. Diacou had also surveyed the space together.

On Tuesday, Mr. Diacou sent out a press release announcing his intent to open a kindergarten through eighth grade charter school there. 

Although Mr. Diacou, who is self-employed and works in real estate, does not have children in area public schools, he said he has been fascinated by education since college.