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District 28 council postpones resolution on siting specialized high school, urges more information
Summary
Community Education Council 28 voted to postpone a resolution urging rapid placement of a specialized high school in a vacant building while members gather more data on competing claims and community impacts.
The Community Education Council (CEC) for New York City Geographic District 28 voted on May 1 to postpone consideration of a resolution urging that a specialized high school be sited in a nearby vacant building, saying members need more information about other schools that have expressed interest and about community impacts.
The motion to postpone was made by Simone Dunbar and seconded by President Quentin Mezzetin. A roll-call vote followed and the motion carried.
The council’s action came after members and community representatives said the district faces long-term overcrowding and that any siting decision should prioritize students in District 28. Simone Dunbar, who introduced the resolution, told the council she was “more than happy to revise or to pass this very resolution” but wanted time to collect details because “there are other schools who also have an interest.”
Vanessa Sparks, speaking for Community Board 12’s education committee, asked the CEC to ensure that “no school should go into that building unless it is a D28 school” and to require outreach from any prospective school leadership to the community board because the building lies in both District 28 and Community Board 12.
Members who spoke in favor of delay said they support a new facility for the specialized high school but want clearer information about competing requests, building feasibility and the district’s broader need for seats. Council member Luzell said the district “is way overcrowded and have too few buildings” and warned that a rushed vote could lead to poor results. Council members said they will ask the School Construction Authority and other city agencies for more specifics before reconsidering the resolution at the June meeting.
The postponement does not withdraw the council’s support for a new specialized high school; several members reiterated their support and described the vote as a procedural pause to gather facts and coordinate advocacy.
The council also discussed related advocacy steps: members reported meetings with elected officials and the borough office to raise awareness of the district’s capacity constraints, and the council said it will supply suggested questions for the School Construction Authority ahead of a planned SCA briefing.
The CEC set a target to revisit or revise the resolution at its June calendar meeting and requested that staff and members compile information about other schools expressing interest in the site, any feasibility studies, and possible mitigation measures for neighbors.
