School’s bid to expand meets resistance

A District 10 Community Education Council public hearing on Tech International Charter School’s plan to expand first-year enrollment became a forum for airing a litany of community concerns about the new school.  

CEC members, Councilman Oliver Koppell, a representative for Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, a representative from the Office of the Bronx Borough President and community members lambasted the new charter — slated to open in September at 3120 Corlear Ave. — for not having a lunchroom, gymnasium, auditorium or any outdoor space. 

Founders want to expand their first-year enrollment from 88 sixth-grade students to 132. Compared to their previously chosen space on Webster Avenue, they said, the Corlear Avenue location is downright spacious. 

But speakers at the meeting worried that the school would not offer enough physical education and said the lack of a gym and outdoor space would hinder student athletes. They also said that middle schoolers need to move around during the day and worried that forcing students to eat in their classrooms would not allow them to unwind and communicate freely with their peers. 

Mr. Koppell said he was concerned that another middle school will draw away students who currently attend IN-Tech Academy, MS/HS 368, the Multiple Intelligence School, PS/MS 37 and the David A. Stein Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy, MS/HS 141, all of which are located nearby.

“Let’s see how it works before we expand it,” he said.  

“I think kids should leave their classroom … socialize, talk … without teacher supervision,” Valerie Greaves, vice president of the CEC, said in an interview after the meeting.  

Executive Director Steve Bergen and Principal Adjowah Scott did their best to address concerns, responding to every issue.