Brentwood community, officials oppose proposed charter schools at June 3 public hearing

More than a hundred people filled the Brentwood Union Free School District hearing room on June 3 for a public hearing on a proposal to open two charter elementary schools and one charter middle school in the district. Community members, district officials and elected leaders urged the district to oppose the application to the State University of New York, saying the proposal would drain funding and duplicate existing programs.

"We are home to over 18,000 students, including more than 6,500 English language learners," said Juan Ortiz, who identified himself at the hearing as a superintendent of schools for the Brentwood Union Free School District. "Let's make one thing very clear. We are not waiting to do the work." Ortiz and other district officials displayed program details they said the district already offers, from bilingual and dual-language instruction to career and technical pathways.

The hearing focused on the Academy Charter School application, a 711-page submission in the district's files. Candace Gomez, general counsel to the district, reminded speakers that the record will go to state reviewers: "Your voices and your comments this evening are very, very important," she said, explaining that a court reporter is transcribing remarks for submission to the New York State Education Department and to SUNY.