PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ingrid Matias Chungata, Executive Director of Nuestros Niños, on Early Childhood Center Closures
0:06:38
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4 min
Ingrid Matias Chungata, Executive Director of Nuestros Niños, testifies against the decision to close her early childhood education center in Williamsburg. She argues that the closure is unjustified, based on incorrect information, and will have severe consequences for the community.
- Nuestros Niños has served the Williamsburg community for over 52 years and is one of the last remaining Latino-led early childhood programs in the area.
- The center received a one-year extension after initially being told their lease would not be renewed, with less than 24 hours notice before family registration.
- Chungata calls on the City Council to urge the Department of Education and the mayor's office to reverse the decision and renew their lease, emphasizing the importance of quality early childhood education for children of color.
Ingrid Matias Chungata
0:06:38
good morning chairperson Joseph, members of the education committee, the esteemed guests.
0:06:43
My name is Ingrid Mathias Chungara and I'm the executive director of Nostras Ninos, a beloved institution that has been a pillar of the Williamsburg community for over fifty two years.
0:06:53
I come before you as an advocate for 96 children and families, 97 of whom are children of color who now face loss of their early childhood program.
0:07:06
We have one year extension due to a sudden and unjustified decision made without any prior notice or opportunity for dialogue.
0:07:14
With less than twenty four hours notice before families were set to register their children for the next school year, on my school portal we were blindsided with the news that our lease would not be renewed, no conversations, no due process, no regard for the impact of our children, family, and staff.
0:07:32
The decision was made based on three points that we're never given the chance to discuss, address, or giving correct information on.
0:07:39
Under enrolled, which we were able to disapprove because we were in fact meeting enrollment requirement and the administration that had the database on the bundle portal that we had no budget approved and there was a miscommunication on that end.
0:07:57
Oversaturated our seats in our district and and according to the administration on unreasonable increase in rent.
0:08:08
When we were finally had a conversation with the administration, we were told that this was not about the quality of early child program, but rather the cost of our space.
0:08:18
Let me be clear, reducing the the future of our children to a financial equation is deeply misguided and sends the wrong message to both the families and educators.
0:08:29
Quality early childhood education should be a priority to all of us.
0:08:33
It is not what does what the if it's not, what does that say about the city's commitment to preparing our children for a bright and successful academic future?
0:08:44
If quality is not factored in this decision, what what does that say about our value as a city?
0:08:52
We should be expanding and improving early childhood program across New York City, not shutting down schools that have been doing the work for over five decades.
0:09:01
If we truly invest in early childhood quality education, we wouldn't see the persisting achievement gaps that leaves so many of our brown and black children struggling in state math English language art exams.
0:09:16
Nue Estros Ninos is is not just another program.
0:09:20
We are one of the last remaining Latino led early child programs in Williamsburg, serving children and families who have historically been marginalized and underserved.
0:09:32
If we were forced to close within one year, currently our children would be displaced, educators who have dedicated their lives to fostering early childhood education will lose their jobs.
0:09:44
And families, so many of whom relied on our culturally responsible programming, would be left without limit or no viable options for their children.
0:09:56
The consequence of this decision are severe, unjustified, and unavoidable.
0:10:01
We ask that the city council to urge the Department of Education, the mayor's office to reverse the decision and renew our lease.
0:10:10
Our children deserve better.
0:10:12
Black and brown children deserve better.
0:10:14
They deserve a city that prioritize their education and values the programs that help set them on a path to success.
0:10:22
We we cannot stand by and watch a trusted community rooted institution led by people of color disappear.
0:10:31
We ask you to take action to protect our children's future.
0:10:35
We ask you to call on the administration to do what is right and negotiate the renewal of our lease.
0:10:41
We ask you to save and to protect our children's future.
0:10:46
Gracias.
0:10:46
Thank you.