NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY OFFICE OF ASSEMBLYMEMBER ARAVELLA SIMOTAS For Immediate Release January 25, 2012 Contact:

Loren Amor, 347-610-6373

Simotas: Students Come First

Speaks Out Against DOEs Turnaround Proposal at Bryant, LIC Assemblymember Aravella Simotas visited William Cullen Bryant and Long Island City high schools last night, reiterating her opposition to the NYC Department of Educations proposal to dramatically overhaul the structure of the two western Queens institutions. Simotas, a Bryant alumnus, told students, parents and alumni that the citys plan was irresponsible and would ultimately hurt students. Our students come first, and we should always work to make improvements that ensure they get the best education possible, Simotas said. But these drastic changes will only increase uncertainty and stunt any progress that students, teachers and administrators have been able to make. Bryant and LIC are both on the states list of Persistently Lowest Achieving (PLA) schools. While the schools had originally been approved for targeted, less intrusive intervention models, Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently announced in his State of the City address that he would now attempt to implement the Turnaround model. This approach, which needs state approval, would give the city authority to close PLA schools, reopen them under new names and replace up to half of the teachers and staff. Last night, meetings were held at Bryant and LIC so that DOE officials could explain the planned changes to each schools community. In her remarks, Simotas said that the proposal, which would affect nine schools in Queens, was too broad and failed to take into consideration each institutions specific circumstances. The legislator noted that Bryant and LIC serve large immigrant and special needs populations. The great thing about community schools like Bryant and LIC is that theyre open to everyone, Simotas said. You cant paint every school with one brush. Simotas applauded the students and alumni who attended the meetings for showing the city that both Bryant and LIC have the support of their respective communities. She pledged to work

with her fellow lawmakers to find a solution that would allow the two schools to make progress but keep them intact. ###