Squadron Calls on Dept. of Ed: Improve District 2 Rezoning Plan

NEW YORK -- State Senator Daniel Squadron urged the NYC Department of Education to reform the student population projections it uses for rezoning, in a letter to Chancellor Dennis Walcott. The call came amidst serious concerns about DOE’s draft District 2 rezoning plan, which impacts thousands of families and many schools in Senator Squadron’s district. The letter is linked below.

Despite new schools in Lower Manhattan, the rapidly growing residential population is still leading to long waitlists, an unsustainable number of kindergarten sections at many schools, and rezoning challenges.

“The zoning plans do not include some important factors. The School Construction Authority must develop more accurate assessments of the capacity and demand for school seats in Lower Manhattan,” wrote Senator Squadron in the letter.

In particular, Senator Squadron's bill - S2884 - includes mechanisms for more accurate student population projections, better transparency and feedback in planning, and a stronger role for parents and the public. In the letter, Senator Squadron also urges DOE to use City population projections and birth rate data, as well as surveys of students’ families to better plan for the growing demand.  

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Media Contact: Amy Spitalnick / 212.298.5565