THE C ITY OF NEW YOR K OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN SCOTT M. STRINGER BOROUGH PRESIDENT INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS REPORTING PROBLEMS RELATING TO PHYSICAL FACILITIES BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN APRIL 2010 MUNICIPAL B UILDING ❖ 1 CENTRE S TREET ❖ N EW YOR K , NY 10007 P HONE (212) 669-8300 F AX (212) 669-4305 www.mbpo.org
[email protected] Page 2 The information below describes the scale of space utilization problems in public elementary and middle schools in Manhattan. The descriptions are based on reports made to our office by parents, teachers, and school administrators during the past year. Reported problems are found in every residential neighborhood in Manhattan, encompassing uptown and downtown, east side and west side, and in communities of every cultural, ethnic and income demographic. The narratives are organized into three categories: I. Overcrowded which suggests that the school is overcapacity or has waitlists. II. Substandard Learning Facility which relates to lack of cluster space, graffiti on school walls, or trailers used as classrooms. III. Destabilized School Community which implies a fear of or concern about an imminent relocation or tension related to a co-located school. Each school is placed under the category with which it most closely aligns. In addition, there is a note about whether the school is co-located. To provide a complete and accurate snapshot of overcrowding, the corresponding map includes schools identified as “overcrowded” by our office in our third and most recent “Crowded Out” report, issued in September 2009. These situations are multi-faceted and deeply emotional for many of the parties involved, and the narratives below reflect many of the stories that we hear on a daily basis.