DOE Proceeding With K-8 School In Marine Park JHS

The Department of Education is plodding forward with their controversial plan to force a K-5 school within the extra space at I.S. 278, Marine Park Junior High School (1925 Stuart Street) – but locals are again gearing up for yet another fight.

GerritsenBeach.net reported yesterday that the DOE is beginning to lay the physical and logistical groundwork for a seperate school within the existing building, and we’ve learned that site inspectors visited the space. The move suggests that the agency has already made its decision and is not looking for community input on the proposal.

But that doesn’t mean they won’t get an earful from locals and the elected. As we reported Monday, City Councilman Lew Fidler and State Assemblyman Alan Maisel are blasting the plan. Upon learning of the site inspections, it sounds like they’re preparing for a challenge.

“[The DOE] thinks it’s moving forward, but I wouldnt say it’s definite. This community isn’t going to sit quietly, and neither are the local elected,” said Reeves Eisen, Fidler’s chief of staff. “They’re proceeding like it is [definite]. Around here, we think this is going to change.”