Weprin Wants Walcott to Amend Policy on Groups Meeting in Public Schools

Councilman Mark Weprin, D-Oakland Gardens, is calling on Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott to amend a city policy that no longer allows groups not registered as non-profit organizations to meet in public schools.

Weprin said he did not believe it was fair that the city’s Department of Education would no longer allow the groups to meet in local schools because many of the organizations focus primarily on “community issues.”

“Co-ops, condos, tenant groups and civic associations hold meetings that consistently focus on community issues,” Weprin said. “They should be permitted to meet in public schools without requesting special permission.”

Weprin said some local civics have received emails notifying them to either become non-profit organizations or stop using public schools for meeting places.

Marge Feinberg, a spokeswoman for the DOE, said there had not been a change to the chancellor’s regulation.

“Permits are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be granted for civic forums and community centers,” she said. “We are reviewing our communications to ensure they reflect the intent of this regulation.”