Q&A
Council Member Brewer questions DOE officials on Via app routing and 60-day rule for migrant families
2:02:56
·
157 sec
Council Member Gale A. Brewer inquires about the implementation of the Via app for bus routing and expresses concerns about the 60-day rule for migrant families. DOE officials respond with updates on the Via app rollout and explain their approach to supporting families affected by the 60-day rule.
- The Via app is planned to be rolled out for routing in its minimal form within the current academic year.
- DOE officials discuss how they handle transportation for families affected by the 60-day rule, emphasizing quick responses to residence changes.
- Brewer expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of the current system for migrant families changing residences frequently.
Gale A. Brewer
2:02:56
I do have 2 quick questions.
2:02:57
One is, I think, in terms of the Via, I know that we've been talking about how individual parents and principals use it.
2:03:05
But is there a date when you're gonna start using it for routing?
2:03:09
Is that something that you're already discussing?
Glenn Risbrook
2:03:12
Yes.
2:03:13
We are.
2:03:14
The plant still is that we should be riding it out in its MVP form, its minimal form sometime this year.
2:03:20
We will keep the council This
Gale A. Brewer
2:03:21
calendar year of this academic year.
Glenn Risbrook
2:03:23
This academic year.
2:03:24
And we'll keep the the council abreast when that happens.
Gale A. Brewer
2:03:27
Okay.
2:03:27
2nd question is, I'm not supportive.
2:03:29
I will be honest with you, of the 60 day rule for the migrant families.
2:03:34
I made that very clear.
2:03:34
It must make your life miserable because when you move, then you have to either apply for the bus but more likely my experience is you get a metro card or Omni because it's too cumbersome really to try to get the bus.
2:03:47
Can you just talk about I know you probably can't say what I can say, which is that 60 day rule should go.
2:03:54
But I'm just wondering how in the world are you dealing with it and how much more difficult does it make the bus routes.
2:04:01
And I can talk at a turn and you cannot, but go ahead.
Tamara Mair
2:04:09
Good morning.
2:04:10
Thank you for the question.
2:04:11
It's Maramere Project Open Arms.
2:04:13
So we wanna make sure that our families inside of New York City public school that are impacted by the 60 day rule know their rights.
2:04:20
Number 1, they have their rights to remain in their schools, and then our office of people transportation will support them if they need additional transportation supports.
2:04:28
They also have the right to transfer to a school closer to their new residents.
2:04:32
So it's up to the families to support them and hope you can talk more about how they do that.
Glenn Risbrook
2:04:38
Anytime that soon rather the students in the SIP foot is being their residents changed because of 6 day rule, any other reason, since we receive that notification, we route the student as quickly as possible.
2:04:51
We've been doing this pretty much now for almost a year, and we just react to as soon as we get so we get the information.
Gale A. Brewer
2:04:57
Yeah.
2:04:57
But it's it's not great at many levels, but I would think that it'll be very difficult.
2:05:01
Are you able to get some of them a bus, or do you end up mostly The schools are doing a great job.
2:05:06
I wanna give you a huge credit Mhmm.
2:05:08
For integrating these families.
2:05:10
I work with them every single day because we make sure that if they're in a Manhattan school, they stay in a Manhattan school.
2:05:16
Even if they switch residents.
2:05:18
And we're very adamant on that.
2:05:19
Mhmm.
2:05:20
So you're able to get some of them buses even though they are switching so often?
Glenn Risbrook
2:05:25
Yes, we do.
2:05:27
It is difficult, like you mentioned.
2:05:28
But, yes, so we are rerunning students.
2:05:30
Okay.
Gale A. Brewer
2:05:30
I think you're being too nice, but thank you very much.