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Volume XXI • Number 8 • February 20-26, 2014 •
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Most local parents kept kids home due to storm By ANDREW WOLF Parents in Riverdale overwhelming rejected the decision of Mayor Bill DeBlasio, and his schools Chancellor, Carmen Fariña, to open schools during the snowstorm that hit the city last Thursday, February 13th. Attendance at the three Riverdale schools, P.S. 24, P.S. 81, and the Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy, hit what some described as “historic” lows, as did the attendance at P.S. 7, which is located in Kingsbridge. “I just don’t get it,” complained one P.S. 24 parent to the Riverdale Review. “Isn’t there a window in DeBlasio’s house? Couldn’t he see just how bad the conditions were. Don’t they tell him what is going on all over the city?” Many parents, pedestrians and motorists complained that streets here were not being plowed and salted fast enough. “I’ve never seen such a poor job of digging out,” complained the owner of a snowbound Honda on Independence Avenue. “And when the city plows finally get here, they make things worse by plowing us in,” complained the resident. The highest local attendance here on Thursday was posted by P.S. 7where 60.5% of the elementary school age children managed to make it into class. At P.S. 24, only 51.2% of the children were marked “present” on Thursday, and at P.S. 81 the figure slipped to just 39.1 making it in. Bringing up the rear was the
Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy, where less than a third of the enrolled students (32.1%) made it in. The figures, when contrasted to the average attendance at each school reveal just how bad the turnout was. On a typical day, attendance at P.S. 24 will reach 94%, at P.S. 81 the figure is 93.2% and at R.K.A. 91.8% will typically show up on any given day. Once again, in terms of attendance, P.S. 7 in Kingsbridge sets the pace, averaging am impressive attendance rate of 95.3%. Citywide the average last Thursday was 44.7%. Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz was generally supportive of the mayor’s decision. “I realize what a tough call this is. Ultimately parents need to make decisions as to what is best for their children given the specific situation.” School has been closed due to snow only 11 times since 1978. But this time weather forecasts appeared to be right on the money, leading to the angry exchange with NBC weatherman Al Roker, whose forecast for the mayor was “one term.” Assemblyman Dinowitz reflected on the controversy: “When it comes to a decision whether or not to close the schools when it snows, it is almost impossible for the mayor to make a popular decision. If he closes the schools he will be criticized; if he keeps them open he will be criticized. And if he closes the schools too often many parents who want the schools closed in the snow
will be upset if the school year has to be extended. “Sometimes there is a clear cut case. Last Thursday was a bad day but it was not quite as clear cut, Al Roker notwithstanding. When I was outside at 6:00 a.m. it was barely snowing. The snow was coming down hard by the time kids had to go to school. By dismissal time the weather was not nearly as bad. For some parents keeping their children home is easy, if they have child care. “Most parents cannot afford child care and cannot afford to take the day off for a snow day. The schools aren’t a babysitting service, but they should be closed sparingly. If a parent believes their child should stay home, then the parent should keep the child home. About 45% of the students went to school last Thursday. The others should not be penalized, but the parents who want to send their children to school should not be penalized either. “I’m sure statistics will show that there is a direct relationship between attendance and how close children live to their schools. Perhaps attendance would be better if more children went to school near where they live. A large part of the concern over safety is connected to the fact that so many more children than necessary take a bus to school because their parents choose to send them to a school far from home. ”Maybe the Mayor made the right call; maybe he Continued on Page 2
In prelude to election, Klein and Koppell protect their left flanks A primary election challenge to State Senator Jeff Klein is appearing to grow more likely, as former Councilman Oliver Koppell has ramped up public criticism of Mr. Klein. Amazingly, the issue of contention is the proposed income tax increase on the very wealthy to pay for the expansion of Universal Pre-Kindergarten. I say amazingly because both men support Mayor DeBlasio’s proposal despite the fact that it is an anathema to Governor Andrew Cuomo. The Governor has already promised to fully finance Pre-K throughout the entire State of New York. But Cuomo is unalterably opposed to any tax increases. Koppell is doing so to define himself as the most liberal fellow in the race, while Klein seeks to define himself as the liberal who can actually get things done in a state with a legislature famous for its gridlock. Klein has positioned himself as one of the key players up in Albany. He leads a breakaway faction of four Democratic Senators who have the balance of power in the State Senate. Because he cut a deal with the Republicans, Klein holds the position of co-leader of the Senate, and no legislation can move without his approval. This unique arrangement has forced Republicans and Dem-
ocrats in the State Senate to collaborate and brings the G.O.P. to the left and the Democrats to the right, insuring that on most issues, they meet at the center. This has exacerbated an ugly split among the local Democrats,
particularly in the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club. Ironically, the split has its roots with Mr. Klein’s emergence as a Riverdale elected official. In 2004, when the late former
State Senator Guy Velella was convicted on corruption charges and forced to relinquish his seat, the leadership of the club, led by Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz and Congressman Eliot Engel, supported former Assemblyman
Steve Kaufman for the vacant seat against Mr. Klein. At the time, then City Councilman Koppell broke ranks with his local supporters and threw his support to Mr. Klein. Continued on Page 3
BRONX POLAR BEARS: About two dozen members of the Bronx Polar Bears Club gathered at Orchard Beach on Saturday, February 15, for their annual Valentines swim in the frigid waters of the Long Island Sound. With an air temperature of 34-degrees and a water temperature of 28-degrees, members took the plunge for a brief swim. --Photo by David Greene