Cutbacks Devastate School Programs

By HANNAN ADELY

Two rounds of Board of Education cutbacks totaling $8 million are crippling after-school and weekend learning programs in District 10. Schools Chancellor Harold Levy implemented the cuts early in the school year to offset reduced funding by the state and federal governments.

Last year, the district spent $676,178 on what are called "extended day" activities; this year, only $18,000 is available. As a result, many kids are being turned away. At PS 340, across from the Kingsbridge Armory, principal Deirdre Burke had to eliminate the participation of first and second graders in the after-school program. PS 33 on Jerome Avenue in Fordham Bedford also scaled back the number of students in its program. 

The cutbacks are especially disappointing because District 10 was one of the top three improved districts in reading and math scores last year. "I think the reason why scores improved is because we were able to offer extra services to students," District Superintendent Irma Zardoya said. "I hope not, but I can only imagine that it will have an impact."

One of the schools that showed the biggest improvements last year was PS 340. "I think our extended day program last year really helped kids get closer to state standards and I am worried if we don't have the full program in future years, we may feel effects from it," Burke said.

Generally, schools have kept the most at-risk kids in the extended day program, while canceling or curtailing enrichment programs in academics and arts for average or excelling students.

The cutbacks have been difficult for working parents who used to be able to pick up their kids in late afternoon and for families who have relied on after-school homework assistance for their kids. Burke has referred many of those parents to other after-school programs run by community centers.

At local schools, teachers and administrators are chipping in to support kids who need extra help. "Our staff developers, assistant principals, and most of the staff, including myself, are taking kids to give small group instruction in reading, math and writing," PS 33 principal Elba Lopez said.

Burke said teachers at her school were also putting in extra hours. "They pull children aside in their preparation periods, early in the morning and after school," she said. "They're really giving of their own time."

Some schools have coped with cuts by reworking their own budgets to allot more funding for extended day activities. Lopez said her school cut work hours for many school aides, who help out in the cafeteria, offices and classrooms.

The district cut funding in other areas as well, including: school-based staff developers; multicultural education project materials; MS Projects Success guided reading tutors; and Goals 2000 Literacy Professional Development.

As much as the cuts hurt, principals say they would have been worse if the district office hadn't absorbed much of the impact by slashing its own funding for telephone service, supplies, materials, furniture and technological equipment. The district's supplies budget was cut by $1 million to just $21,000 this year. Technology and hardware for district use was cut from $765,000 to $100,000.

Cuts Take Toll at PS 33

By HANNAN ADELY

On a recent Thursday afternoon, second graders at PS 33 worked on math problems and colored in a photo of a dinosaur according to their answers. Before that, they had worked on homework with their teacher or with a partner, and had discussions about a book the teacher read aloud.

Throughout the school, several classes were in session, but the halls were mostly empty and quiet. What might seem like a typical day to any outsider was in fact very unusual for the school, precisely because of the hushed atmosphere. Last year, the school halls were filled with about 600 kids in the late afternoons, all part of the after-school program. This year, only 250 students are participating. And kids are only coming in two days a week instead of four.

The school had to cut back its program to cope with city budget cuts, which took $8 million away from School District 10. Last year, the Board of Education had supplied salaries for 17 after-school teachers at PS 33. This year, the board paid for only two teachers.

By cutting its spending in supplies, school aides and other areas, the school was able to pay for a few additional teachers, but it's not enough, say school officials. Now, only the students with the greatest academic need are being included in the after-school program. On Saturdays, an additional 100 students, who are average or excelling academically are offered enrichment courses.

Assistant principal Carlos Velez worries about the effect cuts will have on families. "This is a poor community," Velez said. "We have parents going to school at night, and who have second jobs and they need us to provide for them."

Parents have come to rely on the extra help their children get in tutoring and homework. "It's good because the kids will do something instead of going home and watching TV," said Jacqueline Montijo, a PS 33 parent. Montijo said she pleaded with school staff to keep her son in the program, because she was concerned about his lagging test scores.

Velez also worries the cuts will make it even harder to retain teachers, who earn an extra $140 a week for teaching in the after-school program. "Our teachers don't get paid a lot," Velez said. "Most of our teachers rely on the after-school program for income. We provide a good environment for the teachers, but I wonder if that's going to be enough."

Also of concern to staff is whether cutbacks will affect the school's superior academic performance, since PS 33 has consistently been one of the top-performing schools in the area. Staff generally expressed an optimism that the school would pull through just fine. "It's not just one aspect," second grade teacher Danielle DeSalvo said. "It's a combination of things that help the school do well."

Velez, too, expressed confidence in the ability of staff to be resourceful and to pitch in to maintain the school's success. Already, teachers are using their preparation and lunch periods, and staying late on their own to assist students. "I am concerned, but I know that our teachers will come through," Velez said.

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