The much debated expansion of the Urban Assembly of Arts & Letters School, a well performing middle school, was approved last night. This is a welcome development for many District 13 parents and a disappointment for some parents at PS 20, which shares a building with Arts & Letters.
Arts & Letters is a lottery school that will now be able to expand from middle school to offer grades K-8. By next fall they will have a kindergarten and first grade class. District 13 has a woeful lack of both elementary and middle school options, so this expansion means more choices. Apparently District 13 students will get first choice in the lottery. Originally the school was opened up as a Region 8 school so students from District 13, 14, 15 and 16 are all currently enrolled.
Some parents of students at PS20 vowed to block the expansion as they felt it would divert resources and proactive families from their school. Others disagreed with the idea that District 13 would get preference. However, the board felt differently last night and voted unanimously for the expansion, with 2 absentions. There was a celebration by some parents afterwards as this has been a long-fought and emotional battle.
Thoughts?