Hundreds show up in opposition to a CHARTER SCHOOL in Peekskill

Hundreds+show+up+in+opposition+to+a+CHARTER+SCHOOL+in+Peekskill

Recently, I spoke to Dr. Licopoli about the charter school proposal in Peekskill.  We had the chance to learn a little bit more about the charter school and what the effects of the proposal could be on the Peekskill City School District and community.

The Guardian Academy Charter School was proposed by former staff of the Assumption  School.  According to Dr, Licopoli, (to the right of this article) the funding for the charter school would come out of the Peekskill City School District’s budget resulting in a lose of $5 million dollars a year.  In order to make up the gap in funds, the school district would be forced to cut extra-curricular activities including all sports, drama, art and music programs.  In addition, class sizes would increase, Advanced Placement courses and staff would be cut.  The founders of the charter school hope that the NYS Board of Charters approves this proposal and they can open the school at the former Assumption School building next year.  The Charter School capacity would only serve 300 students out of a school district of only 3,200 students.

Later that evening from 7-9:30 pm there was a public hearing at the Peekskill MIddle School auditorium where over 350 community members and students attended to hear concerns over the charter school proposal. During the hearing for the proposal, residents and politicians showed up to speak their mind about the new charter school proposal. Many politicians, including Mayor Catalina (who reversed his original decision), and district members spoke against the charter school giving many convincing reasons as to why there shouldn’t be a charter school in our community.

John Hanh spoke of how our music programs would be cut if the charter school was granted. The students wouldn’t have a way to express themselves and thatmany scholarships wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for our music programs. He won favor with most of the community.

Mike Koren also spoke against the charter school. He stated that most of the students who were supposed to attend the charter school are former students of the Assumption School. So new kids wouldn’t even have a chance to attend the charter school if they wanted.

Most community members agreed that the charter school shouldn’t be in Peekskill. It is far too small and it would hurt our schools more than help. Most community members cheered as their fellow members spoke against the charter school and held up: “#ProtectMySchool” signs.

The charter school proposal is still being considered for approval. I (Danielle Scazzafava) personally feel that the charter school shouldn’t be approved, just by the fact that our schools would be severely impacted by the charter school. It would take away our clubs and sports teams and take away multiple opportunities for scholarships.

For the Youtube version of this video, click here.