For all parents and community members who are interested in education at Lehman High School, this meeting is for you.
They are being invited to give testimony at a public hearing later this month about the city Department of Education’s proposed phase-out, or gradual closure over the next three years, of the large, comprehensive high school.
The hearing will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the school at 3000 E. Tremont Ave.
Department of Education officials will be on hand to listen to feedback from the public on the possible effect the phase-out of Lehman, and the co-location of three new smaller schools in the building, would have on the school community.
Those wishing to speak at the “Joint Public Hearing” need to register online at savelehmanhs.eventbrite.com by Wednesday, Feb. 20, said James Rodriguez, coordinator of student activities at Lehman.
“Essentially we have a revisit to last year,” said Rodriguez. “The future of the high school is in doubt, so much so, that we are now going through a series of public hearings.”
Rodriguez said he feels the situation is similar to last year’s when the DOE proposed a “turnaround” of the school – which could have led to the furloughing half the staff. That move was ultimately defeated, along with similar proposals for 23 other city schools, by legal action by the United Federation of Teachers and Council of Supervisors and Administrators.
“I want to highlight the achievements of these students,” said Rodriguez, who cited examples of Model UN and students competing for prestigious scholarships.
Meanwhile, another hearing will be held at DeWitt Clinton High School at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 on a DOE proposal to open two new district high schools in Clinton’s building at 100 West Mosholu Parkway South, and to reduce Clinton’s enrollment to roughly 2,210-2,250 students by the 2016-17 academic year.
Currently, about 3,600 students are enrolled at DeWitt Clinton, according to DOE data.
Patrick Rocchio can be reach via e-mail at procchio@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3393
