Making our schools structurally and environmentally safe must be a priority!

On October 1, 2001 I went into Park West High School, which is located across the street from where I live to make a complaint of the on-going failure of Safe Corridor as previously explained. I was immediately overcome by toxic fumes because the entrance hallway was being painted with oil based paint! I informed the "painter" that he needed to wear a protective mask and three days later I handed the principal documents warning of the dangers of using that specific paint product.  The aftermath of this event was as might be expected;  four days after the hallway was painted with ingredients that continue to give off  fumes for days after use, an ambulance awaited to transport a student to
a hospital for treatment of an asthma attack -- when I asked what happened I was told that the student had an asthma attack because the inhaler that the student carries at all times was left at home!  Why should any child enter into a school environment that is toxic to begin with?  This is an outrageous and ignorant statement that only goes to show that teachers, students and visitors are not protected from the dangers that silently lurk in the school and it MUST BE STOPPED!

Living in close proximity to  PS 111 and Park West High school, which is directly across the street from where I live, I have had the opportunity to keep an eye on many of the emerging issues affecting our system of education.  One question that occurs to me is why are have construction bridges have been installed on both sides of Park West High School for at least the last FIVE YEARS without any exterior construction?  The fact that the School Construction Authority and the Board of Education allowed this waste of money for sidewalk bridges for that amount of time without any construction is an outrageous waste of taxpayer dollars that could have been better spent elsewhere.  THIS PRACTICE MUST BE STOPPED!   It is interesting to note that construction of the exterior renovation of the school commenced only after I surprised the principal that I decided to run for the Office of Public Advocate and then began asking questions about the sidewalk bridges.  A confidential source in the highest levels of the school system told me to keep asking questions because I am beginning to make certain people nervous since I surprised everyone with the announcement of running for Public Advocate.  Although my activist activities may not be well publicized, they are certainly well-know with insiders to the political system of the City of New York, which proves that it works to "walk softly and carry a big stick".

If you have information regarding safety issues inside or outside of the school similar to those described on this page and you feel that your complaints have fallen on deaf ears, send me an email at Safety in the Schools.  Your identity will be kept in the strictest of confidence.

The table listed directly below links to the other areas of concern with the education system. 

The following table lists some of the issues that I've come across in my research.  They should prove valuable to parents and teachers alike.  If there are other websites that you are aware of and should be added to the list, please contact me at Education Websites.