Dec 7, 2009 1 min read brooklyn dreams charter school

Brooklyn Dreams Becomes Reality

Brooklyn Dreams officials held a hearing hosted by Shell Bank JHS in July

Brooklyn Eagle is reporting that the controversial Brooklyn Dreams Charter School has been approved, and though it’s mum on what part of Brooklyn it’ll be in, we’re pretty sure it’s our District 22.

The New York State Board of Regents, with State University of New York support, recently approved a five-year charter for the proposed 780-student tuition-free independent public school, its sponsors said.

The projected opening date is September 2010, just nine months from now, in an existing building not yet identified. Grade levels would be kindergarten through eight with student admissions determined by a lottery, with first choice available to students living within the school district that Brooklyn Dreams is located.

Brooklyn Dreams has fought a tough fight for approval. They first applied for space in Districts 20 and 21, where residents and public education advocates foiled their plans. When they began poking around in our neighborhood, they received the scorn of Councilman Lew Fidler, who told them, “We don’t want it.” Assemblyman Colton also turned up at the SUNY-sanctioned hearing, and the school’s board faced interrogation from District 22’s Community Education Council. Not to mention loads of union activists angered that the school isn’t a union shop.

Yet somehow, despite vocal opposition in several districts, Brooklyn Dreams Charter School has been approved. And since there were no hearings following that at Shell Bank J.H.S., and since it’s the only district not ruled out in Brooklyn Eagle’s article, we believe it’s safe to assume it’ll be in our borders.