Pick One: Two School Zoning Proposals for Lower Manhattan
A Department of Education official presented two options for zoning four Lower Manhattan elementary schools for next fall. The plans are a starting point for determining a temporary zone for kindergarten enrollment, which begins Feb. 1.
On Monday, Nov. 30, at 6:30 p.m., parents will have an opportunity to comment on the plans at a public forum to be held at P.S. 89, Warren and West Streets in Battery Park City.
Elizabeth Rose, the official in charge of zoning for Community School District 2, which includes Lower Manhattan, showed the plans Wednesday night to the District 2 Community Education Council, the panel of parent volunteers who are vested with the power to approve zoning proposals. The panel has 45 days to gather public comment and choose or alter one of the plans, or draw up one of their own.
Rose said it was impossible to devise a plan that would please everyone. “Inevitably somebody will be disappointed. We know that and understand it. It is an unfortunate truth,” she said. “So what we’ve tried to do is put together zoning proposals that we think make sense and incorporate feedback we’ve already gotten.”
In both options, Battery Park City is divided at Albany Street, with children living north of that street going to P.S. 89. Those below it would go to P.S. 276 in a building that is expected to open in the fall. In addition, P.S. 276 would draw children who live south of Liberty Street and Maiden Lane. North of that line would be the Spruce Street School zone.
The P.S. 234 zone differs significantly in the two plans. One leaves out about 15 blocks of what is commonly considered the boundaries of Tribeca, the other about 10 blocks. “Option 1” is a zone that takes in more streets to the east (as far as Lafayette Street) but only extends as far south as—and includes—Warren Street. “Option 2” ends at Church Street to the east and extends to the south as far as Vesey Street. Rose said P.S. 234 is purposely zoned to be under capacity by 25 percent, in anticipation of future enrollment by siblings.
"I'm happy," said Michael Huber, a Warren Street resident and the father of a 3-year-old who will attend kindergarten in two years. “If those plans go through the way they are now that’s very encouraging."
In response to being told by a reporter that the proposed temporary zone lines include her building, 200 Chambers Street, a mother made a fist palm gesture and with an elated smile said, "Yes, we're in!"
But vocal opposition to both plans is anticipated from parents who would be zoned out of their "neighborhood" schools. Fifty Murray Street, for example, is a nearly 400-unit building with many children approaching kindergarten age. They live in Tribeca and would be zoned for the Spruce Street school in both plans, though they live closer to P.S. 234.
Lan Vukhac, a 50 Murray Street resident and the mother of a 4-year-old entering kindergarten in the fall, called the zoning “unfair.”
“I know we’re on the cusp and I don’t know exactly where the line in southern Tribeca should be drawn but we’re a family-oriented building and we’re closer to P.S. 234 than we are to Spruce,” she said. “We’re only a block-and-a-half away so we shouldn’t have to go so far when 234 is so close.”
Rachel Brainin, who lives on South End Avenue, expected to send her 4-year-old to P.S. 276 next year.
“I was excited about P.S 276 and almost assumed that’s where we would end up so I’m definitely surprised at where the lines were drawn," Brainin said. "I’m interested in seeing the numbers used.”
The numbers, according to Rose, are based on the students who live in these zones who are currently enrolled in any kindergarten or 1st grade anywhere in the city, though the vast majority attend one of the four schools or Tribeca’s P.S. 150.
A possible sticking point to Option 1 appears to be the division of two buildings that are part of the same residential complex: 101 Warren Street and the subsidized section of the development, 89 Murray Street. While the market-rate building, 101 Warren St., lies in the P.S. 234 zone, 89 Murray, which is subsidized, is in the Spruce Street School zone.
“I can see the school from my window,” said Ilya Mazur, father of a 4-year-old who lives at 89 Murray. “If neighborhood cohesion is a concern, this breaks the neighborhood. How can you divide up a building?”
“I don’t think anyone realized there might be a problem with the 101 Warren Street and 89 Murray buildings,” said Eric Greenleaf, a P.S. 234 parent who has assisted with providing demographic information to the CEC. “To say parents of affordable housing have to go far away but the parents of the expensive apartments can go to the closer school will strike a chord.”
Rose said the CEC, which is expected to hold hearings on the plans in Lower Manhattan early next month, has until January to reach a final decision. But she said she hopes that a vote could be taken at its December meeting.
Back to Top
By Carl Glassman and Faith Paris
UPDATED Dec. 06