The Department of Education took heat last night from parents whose kids are set to share space with the city’s new Arabic language and culture school.
Parents at the Math and Science Exploratory School and the Brooklyn High School of the Arts complained at a PTA meeting about the DOE’s plan to put the Khalil Gibran International Academy in the same building as the two other schools. They say the academy would take up too much space and would disrupt their programs.
“I don’t think most people have any problem with another school, again its losing a program,” said one parent.
“If there’s room, why not?” countered another. “No, [I’m not concerned about space]. I feel that if the third and fourth floors are not being used, why can they not use it?”
“The bottom line is there’s space there and we’re going work with the school community, both school communities, to make sure they have a better understanding of how we’re going to utilize the space and also respond to their needs.
Opponents say the Department of Education hasn’t delivered on promises it made to the current schools using the building, like improving their computer and science labs.
