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Parents raise busing, OmniCard and new-school concerns at District 28 meeting
Summary
Multiple public commenters told the council about first-day bus problems and OmniCard distribution, heat and facility issues at some schools, parent engagement needs and a pending dispute about a new high-school building in District 28.
During the public-comment segment of the District 28 CEC meeting, parents and community representatives raised several recurring concerns: bus service disruptions and OmniCard availability on the first day of school; heat and air-conditioning problems at one campus gym and cafeteria; requests for improved parent engagement; and advance notice about a proposed new high school that community leaders say could be assigned to a non-District-28 school.
Parents described the first day of school experience. Jessica Zillo said Russell Sage campus gyms and cafeterias were extremely hot and thanked community board and borough president staff for delivering additional fans; she also said some OmniCards were deactivated over the summer and were not available to students on the first day. CEC members offered to collect detailed information and to refer bus-route problems to the MTA representative who had been identified in the meeting chat.
Several callers and community leaders flagged busing challenges. President Quentin Mezzetin and other council members acknowledged the problem and asked constituents with specific route or stop issues to share details for escalation to the MTA and district transport staff. One parent described being called at 6 a.m. saying the assigned bus was running late; another described the need to use expensive ride services when buses failed to arrive.
Community Board 12 representative Vanessa Sparks and other longtime community advocates urged the council to focus on persistent equity gaps between the district27s north and south sides, saying some schools on the south side continue to trail the north in proficiency measures and need sustained attention. Sparks also raised a potential facilities issue on the district27s radar: a planned new high-school building at the corner of Hillside Avenue and Merrick Boulevard. She said Queens High School for the Sciences has sought the space and that community members are concerned a school that is not assigned to District 28 could occupy a site within the district.
Other commenters, including vendors and nonprofit representatives, offered programs to strengthen family engagement and financial literacy. Tanisha Marie described a multi-year financial-literacy program she offers to schools and PTAs. Kent Bowman described a parent workshop the speaker called "From Participation to Power," which he said helps parents identify children27s learning styles and engage more substantively in school-based councils.
CEC members thanked public speakers and indicated staff follow-up: staff will collect details on bus problems and OmniCard distribution; community board and elected-official offices were asked to coordinate on the Hillside/Merrick site question; and the council said it would track heat/AC issues and capital funding needs.
No formal council action was taken during public comment; these items were recorded for staff follow-up and potential future agenda items.
