DOE Agrees To Remove 'Problem' Site At P.S. 173
BY JOHN TOSCANO

"I am pleased that the Department of Education has heard the concern of the parents in this community and recognized that a middle school suspension site is not appropriate on the grounds of an elementary school, P.S. 173," said Lancman.

After expressing concern for the safety of public school students at P.S. 173, local lawmakers have won an agreement from school officials to shut down a problemplagued student disciplinary center for older students which is presently on the grounds of the public school.

Under the agreement won by Congressmember Anthony Weiner, Assemblymember Rory Lancman and City Councilmember James Gennaro, the student suspension center will be closed by July 1 by the Department of Education (DOE).

The three elected officials also won a commitment from school officials to immediately add security measures to protect P.S. 173 students until the center can be completely removed.

"The safety of our school children is of paramount importance to me and this community," Gennaro (D- Fresh Meadows) declared. "I am very happy we were able to come to a swift agreement to remove the suspension site and thereby ensure a safe, secure environment for the children of P.S. 173."

Lancman (D- Flushing) expressed similar sentiments. "I am pleased that the Department of Education has heard the concern of the parents in this community and recognized that a middle school suspension site is not appropriate on the grounds of an elementary school, P.S. 173," he said.

"We have only one choice when it comes to the safety and security of our children at school, and that is to ensure the safest possible environment for them to learn," Weiner (D- Queens/Brooklyn) said. "Having five-year-old students mixed in with troubled 14-year-olds didn't work, and I'm happy the DOE realized that."

Currently, the suspension site serves middle school students who have been suspended for level 4 and 5 offenses, which can result from possession or use of drugs, weapons or violence, Gennaro explained.

Recent incidents have made it clear, he said, that having suspended middle school students on the grounds of an elementary school can be dangerous.

In one incident that came to Gennaro's attention, he said, a parent reported that his son was harassed and punched in broad daylight by one of the students from the suspension site. Since that incident, Gennaro, Lancman and Weiner ramped up their efforts to remove the suspension site from the grounds of P.S. 173, at 174-10 67th Ave., Fresh Meadows, Gennaro said.

Gennaro, Lancman and Weiner met last Wednesday at the school with DOE officials to resolve the situation created by the school suspension site. Joining the three lawmakers were Region 3 Superintendent Judith Chin, P.S. 173 Principal Molly Wang, and P.S. 173 PTA Co-Presidents Susan Wagler and Roslyn Weinstein.

At the outset of the meeting, Gennaro recounted, the DOE announced a July 1 deadline for the suspension site to be removed. The elected officials and the PTA, Gennaro said, were pleased that the date for the site move was finalized in addition to immediate implementation of additional security measures being imposed that include metal detectors and roaming patrols. The security measures were put into effect the day after the meeting at P.S. 173.