Parents appear disempowered at PS 207

Parents at P.S. 207 are trying to make sense of why the Kingsbridge school, located at 3030 Godwin Terrace, seems to have so many problems. 

They allege that the principal, Maria Rosado, largely ignores them, even when faced with serious issues like bullying or sexual harassment. Some of them have also criticized her lack of transparency about how she has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funds. One teacher has said the lunchroom is chronically understaffed, allowing the children to get out of control.

Marvin Shelton, president of District 10’s Community Education Council, noted that P.S. 207 is not the only school in the area with principal issues. He pointed to the Spuyten Duyvil School (P.S. 24), where Donna Connelly abruptly retired in the fall.

But he could not provide any clue as to why Ms. Rosado had remained in the school for 12 years, if the allegations are true. The principal could not be reached for comment for this article.

“It kind of falls under the radar because it’s a [kindergarten through second-grade] school,” he said. 

The situation appeared unusual to Karen Nicholson, a professor at Manhattan College’s School of Education. 

“It doesn’t match with my experience in general in this area or schools I’ve ever been,” she commented. “In my experience, principals are always responsive to their community.”

If the bullying and sexual harassment cases reported in a recent Press article prove to be accurate, she said, “That would be something if not being addressed would be startling.”

Parents estimate that more than half of all parents at P.S. 207 do not speak English. Ms. Nicholson said the language barrier could be one reason why problems in the school have continued for so long. 

“If parents don’t speak English, they might not feel empowered to come to the school and that can be more of a challenge because they need an advocate,” she said.