Senator Klein Honored at CEC District 11th Annual Legislative Breakfast for Work on Stopping JHS 144 Co-Location

BRONX, NY - State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) was honored by the District 11 Community Education Council on Friday at their annual legislative breakfast for his work with JHS 144 and Community Board 11 District Manager Jeremy Warneke on stopping co-location of a high school at that site.  

At the beginning of the school year, Senator Klein submitted testimony urging the Department of Education to withdraw their proposal to install a charter high school at JHS 144. Working with stakeholders in the community, Senator Klein successfully worked to halt the proposed co-location. Among other issues, Senator Klein and the community voiced concerns that co-location of a high school with a middle school would be inappropriate, forcing children as young as 11 and as old as 18 to share the same facilities. There was also fear that this co-location would lead to overcrowding.

Senator Klein said, “When the community came to me with concerns that a proposed co-location may shortchange the education of students of 144, I felt compelled to take action. The fact is that JHS 144 was not the appropriate site for a high school co-location. Thankfully, by working together, this issue is behind us. JHS 144 can now continue to build its education base without the threat of having its resources and space threatened by co-location. I am honored to receive this award and accept it on behalf of the work by the entire District 11 community who consistently put the education and well-being of our children above all else.”

District 11 Community Education Council President Pamela Johnson said, "The CEC is indebted to Senator Klein and his staff for working in collaboration with the community to prevent the co-location at JHS 144. With the synergy that he helped to start, we have been successful in this effort and are proud to have recognized Senator Klein for his leadership on this issue."

Senator Klein is an alumnus of JHS 144.