The Education Mayor? Some Local Schools Think Not

At a rally that drew nearly every South Brooklyn school to Grand Army Plaza on Friday afternoon, hundreds of protestors issued myriad complaints against Michael Bloomberg’s proposed budget cuts to New York City’s public schools.

But all those in attendance seemed to agree on one thing: the education mayor seems to have forgotten to put education first.

"We’re facing the possibility of losing good teachers. Some of the best teachers at are in danger of loosing their jobs,” said mom Lara Lae, who has a first grader and a child who will enter kindergarten next year.

The rally was another in a string of protests both in the neighborhood and citywide protesting Bloomberg’s proposed budget, which plans to not only lay off teachers and increase class sizes, but devote mega money to testing and outside schools consultants.

“With all of these budget cuts, I have to carry my blow horn with me all the time these days,” joked Councilmember Stephen Levin, calling for Bloomberg to refocus his priorities on teachers, schools and kids.

“There is a lack of creativity on the administration’s part. Don’t balance the budget on our backs,” said another PS 58 mom Julie Sturm, who has a first grader there.

Bloomberg has proposed laying off three, ten, two and five teachers from PS 29, PS 58, PS 32 and PS 261, respectively.

State Assemblymember Jim Brennan called for Bloomberg to bring back the Millionaire’s Tax, which will sunset this year, as a way to help raise money for the schools system.

“There are many realistic opportunities here,” said Brennan. “The major obstacle is Mayor Bloomberg.”

Councilmember Lander encouraged the kids to organize, calling 311, tweeting, signing letters, handing out flyers and marching down Prospect Park West to inform the Celebrate Brooklyn goers of the woes of the New York City school system.

But one young, budding comedian from PS 321 in Park Slope seemed to already have the answer: “Budget cuts?” he said, “I think Mayor Bloomberg needs a serious talking to.”