February 28, 2008
UFT Queens Speak-out
97-77 Queens Boulevard - 5th Floor
Rego Park, NY 11374
“Let's Make it Better” concerning School Governance and Mayoral Control
I'd like to start off by thanking Diane Ganz for facilitating this speak out and to the UFT for giving me the opportunity to voice my serious concerns with the present school governance system on behalf of our children, students and the parents of Queens...
I am David M. Quintana, parent and former District 27 Representative to the Chancellor's Parent Advisory Council (CPAC) and present member of Community Board 10 Education Committee (Press disclaimer: these are my personal views, not those of Community Board 10)...
I am the prideful parent of two daughters and a proud product of the NYC Public Education system in District 27 – a graduate of PS 60, MS 210 & John Adams High School and the former Co-President of the MS210 Parents Association in Ozone Park...
I believe that the development of a whole child requires the reinstitution of the Arts, Music, Physical Education (Gym), Student Governments and the teaching of basic American Civics – so students can learn how a basic democracy works so they can make intelligent political decisions in their own and their families self interest as adults and concerned citizens...
I call for the Elimination of the NYPD presence in our schools, which I feel creates a prison-like atmosphere in our schools...
I feel that we should Put Educators back into Tweed Courthouse and not corporate “media spin doctors” who misinform the citizenry about the problems in our schools..
I feel the six year experiment with Mayoral control of the NYC Department of Education has not achieved improved student performance...
Mayoral control has eliminated the public election of community oversight bodies which violates the basic human rights of our communities and parents to participate in their children’s education...
Mayoral control has resulted in educational leaders being replaced by lawyers and corporate consultants as policy makers and decision makers, causing widespread demoralization within the system...
Mayoral control has resulted in costly no-bid contracts...
Mayoral control has ignored the basic human rights of our children and had a major negative impact on an entire generation of student's elementary school experience; all of which has been driven by...
high stakes testing and constant test preparation...
limiting the scope and depth of a comprehensive curriculum...
lack of fulfilling special education mandates... and;
constant upheaval causing high anxiety...
I believe that City Council members should have authority to monitor schools within their districts...and;
I demand that our New York City elected officials and our Queens contingency of New York State legislators respond to this educational catastrophe and malfeasance by eliminating Mayoral control and remodeling the school system based on a human rights framework with a governance plan which incorporates local autonomy, school based decision making, parent and community involvement with strict oversight by independent bodies and the City Council...
Once again I'd like to thank the UFT for this opportunity to speak out...
David M. Quintana
