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Q&A
Progress on class size compliance and future challenges
6:53:46
ยท
86 sec
Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the progress on compliance with class size regulations. Michael Mulgrew responds that they are confident about meeting the 60% target for September, but notes upcoming challenges.
- Discusses the need for coordination with the School Construction Authority for creating new seats and schools
- Emphasizes that school siting should be based on community needs rather than political influence
- Highlights the unprecedented level of coordination required between city agencies for the next phase
Rita Joseph
6:53:46
Thank you, president Mulgrew.
6:53:47
How would UFT characterize the progress on compliance with the class size?
6:53:51
Earlier, you said it was going well.
Michael Mulgrew
6:53:53
Well, it it's right now, the target for this year for September will be 60% of the classes.
6:53:58
We are very we're not completely there yet, but we are definitely getting to the point where we are confident we will meet our 60% target.
6:54:09
The next phase, though, becomes more challenging because we have to start to coordinate with the school construction authority about actually where the creation of seats and schools are going to be needed in this city.
6:54:20
This is a break from anything that, any way the school the city has cited schools or annexes before.
6:54:28
This is actually gonna be based off the needs of the community.
6:54:32
Let's you know, I don't have time to mince words.
6:54:34
Not off the political needs of individuals because what this law actually said besides the children of New York City deserve this equitable treatment is that when you're citing schools, it has to be based off of the need of the community.
6:54:50
For years, we have been citing schools not not just on the needs of the community.
6:54:55
We all know it's a political process and who's in power and who has sway, and it should never be done that way.
6:55:00
First thing we have to do is meet the needs of the community, and that's the next phase, which is, which is where, we're gonna have to have a coordination that the city agencies have never had before.