Sanders Hosts Press Conference to Celebrate School Victory - PS/ MS 42 will Remain Open

New York State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway) held a celebratory press conference on March 16, 2018  to celebrate that PS / MS 42 R. Vernam will remain open after initially being slated for closure in December due to low performance. 

"Education has to be a right of all people and a bureaucracy siting somewhere far away should not decide what happens to the most precious gift we have - our children," Sanders said. "There have been so many heroes and sheroes in this battle, but the community is the biggest hero here. They have said we want our school. We are going to keep our school."

The Panel for Educational Policy rejected the closure proposal earlier this month, after seven hours of testimony at a hearing in which parents and elected officials fought to save the struggling school. Many argued that as part of the city's $582 million school-turnaround program, PS/MS 42 was actually showing signs of improvement but needed more time in the program.

Senator Sanders thanks all of the local elected officials, teachers, parents, community activists and leaders who have been involved in fighting for public education in Far Rockaway. 

The entire press conference can be viewed at the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/jamessandersjrNY/videos/1834099099942431/