OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS: WEINER TO OUTLINE PLANS TO IMPROVE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DAY 1: RESTORING DISCIPLINE AND SAFETY TO OUR CLASSROOMS AND HALLWAYS

RAPID TRANSFERS FOR GANG MEMBERS, ENHANCED PENALTIES FOR ASSAULTS ON TEACHERS, “BOOT CAMP” FOR TROUBLEMAKERS

New York City – Today, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens & Brooklyn) unveiled his plan to restore safety and discipline to New York City’s public schools. 

Over the next three days, Weiner will detail his plans to improve our public schools, and make them places where every student who wants to has a real chance to learn and excel. 

RESTORING ORDER, ENSURING SAFETY:

“Divide and Conquer” Gangs – The protocol governing what happens to students involved in gang activity is currently governed by a hodge-podge of programs.  As Mayor, Weiner will establish a rebuttable presumption allowing principals to demand the transfer of a student suspected of engaging in gang activity even before a crime is committed, breaking up gangs, and keeping their members apart.

Keep Gang Members Away from Students – Some jurisdictions enhance penalties for dealing drugs or carrying a gun near a school.  As Mayor, Weiner will apply that principle to gang related activities, carving out areas of enhanced penalties for people convicted of gang related crimes who are not students but who come within 500 feet of a school, or 100 feet of a playground, public swimming pool, or video arcade.

Enhanced Penalties for Assaulting Teachers -- Currently, assaulting a teacher is a 2nd degree felony, carrying a prison term on conviction of 2 to 7 years.  But most students are under the age of 19 and treated as “youthful offenders”, cutting sentences down to between 1 and 4 years at a juvenile hall.   As Mayor, Weiner will enhance penalties for assaulting teachers, imposing a mandatory 4 year sentence for any youthful offender conviction.  

Create “Boot Camp” Charter Schools – Boot camps for troubled teens exist in at least 25 states.  As Mayor, Weiner will establish three charter “boot camp schools” for students who have undergone a series of suspensions for serious misconduct, where they will receive military style academic instruction as well as swift enforcement of disciplinary rules, and reduced access to recreational activities and distracting influences. 

 “Teachers can’t teach, and students can’t learn when bullies rule our hallways and troublemakers disrupt our classrooms,” said Rep. Weiner.  “While we have to be sure to protect the due process rights of disruptive students, it’s even more important that we ensure that the vast majority of students who want to learn have the chance to do so.  I’ll cut through the red tape as Mayor, and give principals, teachers, and school safety officers the tools they need to restore order to our schools.”

 Tomorrow: keeping the best teachers in New York City classrooms.