The Queens Chronicle reports on the public hearing held in regards to Mayor Bloomberg's proposal to close down and overhaul Bryant High School, which drew a great deal of protest.
The rumblings started low at first — emanating from the football players in the middle of the room, the student government leaders perched closer to the stage and the parents dispersed throughout Bryant High School’s auditorium —and grew until loud boos drowned out a deputy schools chancellor, whose voice was no match for the hundreds of people protesting the city’s plan to shutter the institution established in 1889.
“Save our school! Save our school! Save our school!” shouted many of those attending Tuesday night’s public hearing on Mayor Bloomberg’s proposal to close Bryant in Long Island City after the school year wraps up and reopen it with a new name and up to 50 percent of the teachers replaced.
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Van Bramer, state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) and Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria) held a protest against the mayor’s plan prior to the hearing, during which time an enthusiastic crowd, including Community Education Council 30 President Isaac Carmignani and Democratic District Leader Costa Constantinides, slammed the closure proposal.
“It’s time to stop the demonization of our teachers and administrators who’ve given their lives to our children,” Gianaris said at the hearing.
Read the full article here [2].
