Protest Re-Organization
Parents Give Klein Earful on Changes

By MEREDITH KOLODNER

One hundred angry protesters shouting "listen to the parents" and "put the public back in public education" stormed a Department of Education meeting March 19 demanding a halt to Mayor Bloomberg's school re-organization plan.

JOEL I. KLEIN: 'Stay in touch.'

The parents and students disrupted the monthly meeting of the Panel for Educational Policy, drowning out Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein's efforts to conduct discussions on a new city-wide science curriculum and changes to the school funding formula.

Clash With Klein

In between the chants, Mr. Klein tried to proceed with the meeting, but Brooklyn parent T. Thaddaeus Brown repeatedly interrupted, asking Mr. Klein to reverse the meeting's agenda and allow the public to speak immediately.

"Please respect the meeting and let us continue," Mr. Klein replied calmly, but the group did not remain quiet for long.

Department of Education officials initially tried to convince protest organizers that they had to leave because the overcrowded room at DOE headquarters was a fire hazard. The protesters responded that DOE planners should have held the meeting in a larger room to allow for public participation.

The two sides eventually worked out a deal to allow five more minutes of the presentation, and then give five demonstrators preference to speak during the public portion.

'No More Consultants'

"We are here to say stop the re-organization," said Cynthia Williams, the mother of two Bronx public school students. "We don't want any more consultants making decisions about education."

In January, Mayor Bloomberg proposed sweeping shifts in school policy that will significantly alter how schools are funded and supervised. Changes to school bus routes two months ago sparked widespread frustration among parents.

A coalition of community, parent and labor groups, which organized the protest, had criticized the Mayor and Mr. Klein for their third school re-organization in five years.

"We need more resources in the poor neighborhoods," said Teresitha Gaton, who has four boys in Brooklyn public schools. "Children who need extra help or need help learning English are getting left behind."

The Panel for Educational Policy replaced the Board of Education and is controlled by Mayor Bloomberg, who appoints the majority of its members.

After the demonstrators spoke, Mr. Klein thanked them for their comments. "We appreciate hearing from you," he said.