Greetings everyone. Um, my name is Christy Angel. I am the president of the citywide council for district 75. Today you are joining our capacity and
utilization committee's first meeting. We do have vice president and our chair council which is Stephanie Bonia and our co-chair which is Spencer on the call as well. This meeting is being recorded. We
do have Spanish, Bangla and Mandarin interpretation available. Mandarin, you do have the floor to give your instructions. Mandarin completed. >> Thank you. Spanish interpretation, you now have the floor to give your
instructions. conferenc Thank you. >> Thank you, Bangla. You now have the floor to give your instructions. Egg ID number patch patch.
Um, Bengali announcement is done. >> Thank you so much. I will now turn the meeting over to uh the chair of the meeting which is our vice president again, Stephanie Bonia. Thank you so much.
>> Meeting. >> Good afternoon everyone. My name is Stephanie Bonija. Thank you for joining us today. The agenda will be in the chat right now. We will do our welcome and
our icebreaker for the meeting. As I said, my name is Stephanie Bonija. My name is Stephanie Bonija, second vice president for citywide council. My co-chair is Mr. Craig Spencer. He's as well on the line. We will be joining you
guys today in order to set start our capacity and utilization committee and start on talking with different topics on different schools and different burrows especially on accessibility as to what needs is needed in our
districts. Thank you. I see like um is is a black screen. Debbie, I think that there are some popups that are on your screen that we may need to either close or move. Yeah, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And that one,
there's one more bar. Thank you. Um as to core items, understand the key concepts such as the capacity of sorry such as the capacity, the ulitization rate, enrollment, space
types and is essential for effective planning in our schools. a lot. Um some of it it could be as to playgrounds, spaces for related services, spaces just for our classrooms um to be
essential things like that. Capacity is the maximum of numbers. The bar is there. Again, capacity is the num the maximum of numbers students that a school can accommodate. One second.
The utilization rate, the particip the percentage of available space that is currently being used by students. Then is also the enrollment, the total numbers of students registered in a school for the program. That also
determines the space needed for the program. We could move to Oh, okay. Thank you. Why it matters? Balancing overcrowding under utilization is crucial for equitable access and effective planning
within our district specialized programs and unique space needs. Overcrowding issues. Addressing overcrowding ensures that all students receive the attention and resources they deserve. As mentioned before, it could go from
playground up to related services space because sometimes those spaces are not adequable for our students including gym as well. Underutilization challenges. Underutilized spaces can lead to misused
opportunities for learning experiences and resources of allocations and planning for the future. Effective planning promotes transparency and fosters collaboration among families, staff, and community members. As
mentioned before, if we don't use the maximum of our spaces, it could also be underutilized or misused here. We're just framing some questions for you to have some ideas as to what to
ask or what to look for. Um, as well as we will be having a C CD75 joint business monthly meeting next month, I mean next month on October 1st,
which district planning will be there and some questions could be asked there. So these are some questions that you could think of. What challenges do you notice in your school building? Is it too full? Is it too empty? Not the right
kinds of spaces. How do capacity and utilization affects the students learning experiences? What opportunities exist to use space more efficiently?
And the main one is your school accessible. So as I said, these are some questions that you could think about in um order to start looking into things that could
help your school community. space and utilization strategies as as mentioned as well. Understanding our options for effective space utilization is essential for fostering
and supportive learning environment within our school community. A lot of our students need these things in order to be able to progress in school in different areas. I keep mentioning a lot the playground because
our students need the social environment as well is not to just be in a classroom and gym because our students are very athletic. accessibility sites through New York City. We will be talking more about
these sites through from all borrows on our next meeting on October 8th at 6:00 p.m. That way we could have more details from district planning and to be able to share a spreadsheet with you all
as to what schools have accessibility already are either full accessible or um no not accessessible or partial accessibility and what schools need to be worked on sea meetings and the importance of
um school construction authority is SCA um meetings are scheduled to be once or twice a month. These meetings are held with the custodian, the school construction authority, the principles.
Um if it's a collocation um site it will be two principles or their members also UFT and sorry yes you also uft and additionally
any guest members that is invited by either building facilities or construction authority or the principal. We are able the importance of these meetings is that we are able to discuss
certain work that is being done in the school community at that time of either an approved project of construction or renovation of part of a school. They also talk about different models in
order to prevent from being there when students are in the campus and to work when students are not there. They and also they discuss um things that they are fixing during
time periods. They share different schedules as to what work will be done effectively and deadlines for those projects. What it will be at 6:00 p.m. the meeting on October 8th.
Oh, yep. And October 31st at 6:30. There's the Okay. Um, I would like to share just one thing. And while we're uh talking, Stephanie, just to make it a little bit interactive
for the parents or those who are joining us in the meeting, can you put a word into the chat about what you feel about accessibility or what you feel about your schools or even if what you may think about coming to this meeting with capacity and utilization with your
understanding of it so that we can know how to assist you. And also, please do let Vice President um Bonesia know if you would also like to be a part of this committee because we definitely do want to keep parents involved in what we do
so that you know what schools are not accessible. um if they don't have elevators, if our kids are doing too much walking from the fifth floor to the first floor, if they don't have related services rooms and things of that nature, this committee will be the space where you will get to understand more in
depth what these items look like and how to participate especially in joint public hearings in your community sessions where you will be able to have a voice as it comes to your schools. if it is being truncated, if they're closing the school, if they're adding classes to the school, and what that
looks like if they're creating colloccated schools. Okay, back to you, Stephanie. >> Nope. I just wanted to show an example. We uh I will show again on the ETH, but
this is just a small example of what a school construction every two weeks program would look like. I mean uh update would look like. And um they color code everything. They spread everything through the week and it shows
um what is being worked on at what times. This is good to know especially when they working with asbestos in the building. That way we can make sure that our students are safe. We're able to ask
for a air quality report when those things happen. But and usually they do those either when we have no school um like on the weekend or they will do that on a week that we are off from school.
And these are also minutes that get to be shared. >> One moment. Gabrielle, can we enlarge um the uh pictures that Stephanie's showing for some or is that you are you showing it, Stephanie? It's >> Yeah, I'm showing. Is it enlarging when I'm doing it like this?
>> Uh uhuh. It's It's still showing it pretty small. >> Oh, sorry. >> It's okay. Worst case, guys, all the information that you're seeing here, we're going to email it to those of you who have attended >> um that still is it on it. It's showing
very slender. If you can email those over to Stephanie, excuse me, over to Gabrielle, we maybe uh can show those out or we can put them >> into the chat. >> No problem.
>> Also, and Miss Shadia in the chat is speaking about some of the issues at the school. guys, this will be the place. If you do have issues, please let us know so we can let your CEC's know so that we can go to these schools and visit and things of that nature. Um, I do know Mr.
Spencer and Miss uh shortly. >> Would you like me to put the guide that they can have into the chat, Stephanie? I see she's muted. Are you able to unmute, Stephanie? >> Yes, we're able to. >> Yes.
>> I I'm sending the pictures over. >> Wonderful. Gabrielle, while she's sending the picture, could you drop in the um the dark brown guide, the main guide for the committee, so that those people who do want to be a part of the
capacity and utilization committee will have the opportunity to do a little bit more reading outside of what um the two co-chairs are going to be showing. Mr. Spencer, did you want to um jump in or add anything in this space? Um I know you might not be feeling too great
today. Just wanted to ask. Thank you. If you want to join the committee, please do email ccd75capacitygmail.com with your contact information. Mr. Spencer is currently on camera. He is one of our former council members coming
back to assist. You have the floor. >> Greetings. Uh, happy Thursday, everybody. Um, I I want to Stephanie, will you finish? I didn't want to step into your space. Yes, it's okay because I'm waiting for
the pictures. No worries. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um, so just thank you, uh, President Angel in reference to the introduction. Thank you for your support, uh, and our AA, beautiful AA, thank you so much. Um yeah, so uh the
the main thing that I want to bring across and why I'm back is just to enlighten and educate our parents in terms of making sure the system works for them and that's what we're here to
represent. Um it is a lot of content. um where we had several meetings in advance to figure out how to how to how to get the how to get it in a package where you can digest it. Um but this is
important for you to keep in mind like President Angel said in reference to what are your deficiencies in your area. I saw it in the in the in the chat in reference to certain schools don't have these things. This is what we want. this is what this committee is there to
address and this is what we want you to come to next week's uh calendar meeting with the with district planning in terms of that so they could with that frame of mind in terms of where they're addressing in the Bronx where they're
addressing in Staten Island where they're addressing in uh Brooklyn um certain deficiencies regarding space issues regarding like I said Jim playgrounds, um, uh, additional services. Um, so we
want you to have that in mind and then we we set up this meeting for the week after the committee meeting the week after that. So that way because we're not going to have a lot of time next Wednesday to break that down because it'll be mostly in a presentation. We'll
do that on the 8th. Um, so there may be some questions that you present here that you that we won't be able to address right now, but please come to the next meeting on the 1st. See what district planning has in mind when there's a presentation from SCA. See
what they have in mind, and then we'll set up our committee meetings uh going forward after that uh where you can we can get into that more into detail. Um just wanted to mention um some of the
I wanted to uplift um some of the uh uh aspects um that we use that this council and this committee uses in reference to collaboration. Um work with your uh uh PAs and PTAs.
work with your um district 75 representatives on the regular CEC's um and and and we're here to you know keep that in mind in terms of you're not on we don't want to silo you. We don't want to put you we don't it's in we
district 75 parents have enough time managing their own lives with their kids. We're here for that supplement. We're here to hear and listen and and do our best to advocate and get what you need. But also empower yourself to reach
out to your PAs in your schools, reach out to D75 reps on on on CC councils, make them a part of the process because we get stronger that way. We get results that way. Um more strength in numbers. So that's what I wanted to emphasize at
this time. I turn it over to you ladies. Um um >> I agree. I agree as well um that is stren strength is in numbers and as I put in
the chat I um I would like to uplift all of our D75 reps in order to know that they could visit their schools aside from this meeting from the superintendent that way they could be able to advocate in all platforms for their school
communities. I think that will this will be a great experience for them um to be able to also be um speak at proposals for PEP
when it comes to the accessibility part as well um and as to why is needed. >> Um Miss Marie, everything that the council and this committee does is recorded. >> Yes. and it will be posted in the website.
>> Um, just for clarity as well, we do have a link to our videos on our websites and additionally we have our own YouTube channel CCD75 outreach. I will put that link in the chat briefly, but we do have our meetings, our committee meetings,
our different workshops and things. So, if you miss something, you never miss anything. Um, you'll be able to press play and have the information that you need. Uh give me one second and I will grab that YouTube link. We will try to put this up um on today and then we do
have a secondary meeting on October 8th which um I believe chairs will get to. I want to speak a little bit in reference to what the committee uh besides holding the meetings. Uh what we
generally um what takes up a a good amount of our time are school visits um both what has worked in the past, what's being worked on now in terms of addressing any uh lapses of
inaccessibility and what's being done in the future. Um we I also want to just um uplift um and expand on acronyms. So join we say joint public hearings. So
joint public hearings for those of you who don't know when the community comes together in a particular uh district for a particular new site uh collo colllocated site that's what joint public hearing joint
collocation. So make that correlation where you get your uh principles, you'll get your um district leaders, uh you'll get your PTAs, you'll get your council >> CEC's as well as us CCD75. And we get
there and in the joint public hearing and and that's what district planning overseas in reference to setting these up. Hey, these new schools are coming. >> Let's have a public colllocated school. Let's have a joint public hearing. Get all the um valuable members of the
community uh meet chance to meet in whatever and hash out iron out any differences. And once that's all hammered out in the joint public hearing, it goes to the PEP, which is panel for education policy.
Panel for education policy. Um there's um may I think the mayor has uh at least five there's there's a there's um um representatives for each burrow um representatives from the DOE from
district planning um there's uh mayor mayoral representatives and so that's that panel you they review the results of the joint public hearing at that panel. And when
the panel is in favor of that, then that's how the new collocation is created. And you know, that takes a year or so, you know, but it's got to go through joint public hearing number one, parental education policy number two,
and then put it in place. So that's where where I started my my comments on let's get the community together. Let's know our PTAs. Let's know our CEC reps on a regular. You guys have our information, you have our email, you
have access. Let's get So when these and take take that information, bring it to the next our next meeting next week uh where you see district planning, you already have that in your brain like, okay, they've got these things set up. They've got, you know, they can speak to
these dates. Um, and if I have a question and they don't answer it, I know the committee will have another meeting on the ETH and they can explain more in detail in terms of plans and things to that nature. So, I want to uplift that that knowledge and
pass that knowledge on. So, that way you won't be in a file. It won't be it won't be out in that one ear out the other in terms of because like I said, it's citywide council. It's a citywide, you know, uh, district. So, it can be a lot
of things that you lose, especially in light of what we have to do for our kids on a daily basis. I want to empower you. You guys have the power and through and and we we through we we're there to support that. We're there to support the
power that you have. And we're stronger when there's more of you that know this process and can hold the DOE accountable by that process. I think I think it's a well um Stephanie why don't you um talk SCA is a little
bit different um um it's before the joint public hearing it's what we they have budget for you want to speak to that or >> I think I can piggy back in two two seconds on what you're saying too Craig
just for not to interrupt but the guide that you have for the committee members you guys if you look on like the first five pages pages as to what Craig was saying with the terms and the context. It breaks down capacity utilization. It breaks down the capital plan. It walks
through what is the five-year capital plan, what is the road map for construction and renovations. It also does have um a cheat sheet for your uh school visits and what we are looking for and should be looking for when we go to visits. And it also has a quick
snippet of a education impact statement. You guys should be very familiar with those. Your CEC's and your citywide should be posting them. Your schools should be sharing them so that you will know something is happening at your school. It will break down what the
impact is, the data on it, and every single possible thing that they want to do. Again, these items go more into depth in the guide that is in the chat. It gives you your context. It gives you your definitions and it lets you know what they want to do in this committee
within the first 30 days and what that will look like and how they plan on walking you guys through uh what you need to know. If you do need information prior to your school visit, there is a QR link where you can scan that to see what's going on with the school. Um, I
know some of our snapshots are leaving, but it still should be there in regard to the sensory rooms accessibility and the breakdown of information at your individual schools. If you cannot find that, please do reach out to the capacity uh CCD7
capacity atgmail so that we can assist you in getting the information that you may need for your particular sites. Uh, back to you, Vice President I was just going to add um for the SCA
if um Gabby could share the picture. But for SCA um as Mr. Spencer was saying, they usually meet with the CC's before um a project is approved. They have
several meetings. I believe it's two mandatory meetings that we have to have. Correct me if I'm wrong, President Angel. I believe it's two that we're supposed to have um mandatory with the SCA in
order to talk about different um school sites. I know in one of the meetings we're supposed to give them five top schools of different five top
schools that we qualify as a council that are the most in need. Some schools do not get picked from the list. Um, it goes a lot on the priority need of the school.
>> Can I step in really quickly for you Stephanie? So, for those that are listening or will be playing this video back, um, Chair Bonia is talking about CC's, what the community education councils will do. For a citywide council, we move
a little differently. We take over everything that's submitted from all of the CEC's and from all of the schools we receive and then we but CEC's do have the opportunity to go through their entire district and then each school
does put in their top five and then as a C citywide we do top five only five for the entire uh New York City. So just to put a little bit of differentiation there. Yep. >> Thank you for that. >> You're welcome.
And on this page, this is just an example of the different works that could be done after a project is approved from the school construction authority. It goes from demolitions to wiring,
installations of new tiles. Um, sometimes it could be a installation of a new fire. Um, the fire. Oh my god, I had it. It's not the fire
drill. It's the the the bo the the fire system that has all the um when there's an incident in the school. So, they also update those So they do roofing, they do as I
mentioned before um the asbestos, removal of asbestos. They have to be careful with the removal of asbestos, post different notes around the school and give notes to the parent communities in order to let you know
what is going on. Can you move to the next picture? And this is just like a summary of minutes of what will be discussed in a meeting as I mentioned with the school
construction custodians, the um fire marshall, the uft principles, building facilities and CEC's could be invited as well
or um citywide council. These are just different discussions that could be blown up or different concerns or even maybe suggestions of maybe that there wasn't enough cleanup after um
after uh a project was done for the next day for school to start. So that could be discussed there. That way that could be improvised. um in order to always have clean spaces and have um adequate spaces for all of our
students. Would you like to add anything, Mr. Craig? >> Yeah, thank I almost stepped on your toes there. Sorry. Yeah, I want to piggyback what um pres president Angel was saying in reference to the SCA. Um through my experience, I uh I was six
years on the council. Um it it it was a pain in the butt. Um like I said one of my earlier remarks, citywide council, we have to consider all five burrows. Um
so and that's that's why it's so um uh crucial that we get your feedback uh in reference to and uh what's what we can't see. uh he he lifted up to our attention. But President Angel, can you
update me? Like I said, I'm a little bit out of the loop. Like um I know when I was a council member, we wanted to try to work on getting a a greater selection, not five or five
burrows where we have to we're basically forced to do a school or burrow. Um, has the council has made any headway in terms of expanding a citywide council selection from from five to maybe 10 or 15?
>> Um, no Craig, I know I we have not. Um, what I do know over the years, and that's something that we maybe can look at as a council to see if that's something that we can expand. But I do know what we have done before is we have sent more than our top five. We said,
"Hey guys, like this is maybe top 10. we need you guys to look at these things. So, they do always take a consideration to the full list that we support and or highlight, but that is something um that we should probably uplift to see what
wiggle room we have um in suggesting, you know, anything. I know that the CEC's do have the work that they need to do on their behalf, but also what it gives us information for is to see like, hey, can we find some grants? Can we work with the Special Olympics of New
York? can we do reso a can we find places to try to support um where we couldn't um pretty much do anything else outside of uplift those five but I think that is a very good feedback um that we can take to the council to see how we might be able to expand further
>> right and I thank you for for that context president Angel and it and it goes back to what I my initial comments in terms of know your community get your PTAs get get them involved in our meetings, come to our comm come to our
council meetings and and and voice yourselves. And we're we're as strong as as we're strong. Of course, we wouldn't be here if we're not, but um you know, strength and numbers. Um that's the key. Um and um we there's been things, you
know, I'm preaching to the choir, but um we've all struggled with things and um in reference to the system and and and expanding it and it's an ongoing we're better than where we've been uh thanks to good folks like President
Angel and Second Vice President Bonia. But um yeah, there's still work to be done and um I think that's the council will be stronger. I that's something that I I would like I would hope to see more
parent participation to support the council in its efforts to expand that because we're working within a structure within a city that it's hard to put up new sites. Uh and we have to work with what we have
and um with the city this large in a district, you know, we have to it's a citywide district, we want to prevent um things form in between the in between the cracks as much as possible. So know that this council uh and this committee
is an extension of this council is working as best they can for you and with your support, your cons, you know, coming into our meetings and and voicing your opinions makes us stronger and makes our our district better. >> I agree with you a thousand%. And when
it comes to making our district better, it starts with resources and it starts with information. That's exactly why we have this capacity and utilization committee because we want you to be empowered with information, knowing what the school visits are, knowing if you
have an issue with the school, you uplifted so that we know, we can let the community education council district 75 representative know. Um, we're trying to make sure that we keep everything looped in in a space where there are eyes on our schools and our parents also have
information so that if you see something, you can say something. If you want someone to check out anything particular at a school for any particular reason, especially if it's for a building, if if it's accessible or not, if they don't have ramps, if if
your child can't go to the cafeteria because it's too many stairs to walk up and down to, if there's spaces that are not being used. Um, those are things that we're also working on the back end with the district just to make sure, you know, there's fairness in between colllocated schools and things of that
nature. So, there's a lot of work that needs to be done, but it's a lot of good work. And when we're talking about the District 75 representatives, a lot of them are newer and we want to make sure that they do have access into these buildings, that they're not blocked, that they have a team, and so that they
have everything that they need, the parents have what they need, and that this council continues to move in a space of uh education, teaching, and learning. >> So, thank you for that. Craig, Stephanie, did you um I don't know where we are um on the agenda, so you guys may
have to help round me uh back up into where you are. We can check in with the uh interpretation rooms for a second really quickly to see if anyone has questions. >> Yes, shut up. >> No question or comments in the Spanish
line. >> There are no questions or comments on the Bengali line. No questions or comments in Mander line. >> Thank you for all the interpreters. Um you know we can't we're not in a position to presume you know um that
this will come across and just we have to make take the steps to make sure this it's our information is broadcast in as many languages as possible. So, thank you so much. >> And I also just want to add um that
everyone is welcome in for the committee. You do not have to be just a D75 rep or a parent president or a title one in your school. Sorry, I'm still on I'm still on the other side. could
speak. Um um PA president, executive board or SLT. Um you are a parent leader as a parent in your school community no matter what.
So you are able to advocate in any platform as to what you see in your school that you feel it would be a great benefit to change as to for the stu for the students benefits. So I just wanted
to emphasize that since we are um in the chat we have a email if anyone is would like to join our capacity and utilization committee please send your information we will be sharing it um
throughout for everyone and yes thank you all for coming today right now in our agenda And the I think oh we were right on the mark. We were
doing the next steps and encouragement which is explaining the input of what we're doing and also the next business meeting for CCD75 will be October 1st. In that meeting,
district planning will be there and we could also emphasize questions there in that meeting for them or we >> Yes. Yes. Mr. Spencer. >> Yeah. Like I said, you know, there has a
time limit and it will come whatever is not addressed next Wednesday will address two Wednesdays from now. Uh and and and because there's a like I said, there's so much as a citywide district, there's so much information.
Um we're going to naturally have to, you know, te tangential, you know, get it on a tangent off to our community to our committee to uh further in investigate. So yes, uh please um let let the get the
word out um to come and this is our future. I I want to I want to just end with the this is how we invest in our future and the strength of our the strength of this council. I mean there's other I don't you know what I I
I'm not disparaging any other aspect of the council. Um but this is what I see. Um, this is Yeah, I don't want I'm not crapping on any other I I can hear.
>> It's just all important parts. Yeah, they're all important parts, but um this is particularly important because this is where our kids go to school and um this is where we lead them off and this is the investment that um um that the
time that you put in there leads to that investment down the road. Um there's I I hope we get a chance to highlight some of the things that we worked on in the past that has now come to pass. Um, I know several sites in Brooklyn. I know
the Queen Innovation Center in Queens. Um, um, and and but then at the same time, there's there's an ongoing battle in the Bronx. There's an ongoing battle in Staten Island, um, on upper Manhattan, uh, Southeast Queens. So, um, yeah, the more strengthen numbers,
uplift, empower, bring in PTAs, CC D75 members, and, um, show up and show out. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Mr. Spencer. And yet um as for our closing
reflection, I just would like to say um that I thank you all for joining today in order to have this introduction for to know a little bit about this
process and to know how we could help you um in order to have a um better have better things in your school community and also more knowledge. That is why I
mentioned as to the school construction meetings. um not everybody is aware or has the knowledge that we are even are able to attend these meetings to get the other information as as like how I said
after a project has been approved like what are the in and outs with that in order to make the school accessible as well. So, thank you. That will be my closing remark for today. And please send us
your information to the Gmail ccd75capacity atgmail.com. >> Can I tag in one one thing? >> Yes. Did we check in with the chat just to make sure they had any closing questions or feedback or any word that they want
to leave with when it comes to what they're feeling and or wanting in this process as we move forward. any closing words that we can kind of think on like how are you feeling about your school's capacity right now? Is everyone feeling kind of okay? I see a couple of parents who've joined.
>> Can they be allowed to speak if they want? >> Not and if so. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. If you want to speak, please raise your hand to be um recognized. If not,
>> Miss Johnson put transparency. >> M um this Miss Johnson put transparency with school budget and accountability. That's good. >> Yes. >> Because also got to do with >> Yes. Accountability is very huge.
>> How you >> wonderful. Um, I do Stephanie, not to cut you off, I did see a couple of people who couldn't get access to the link, please know that everyone who has registered for this meeting and if you have not registered and you want the guide, please do reach out to
ccd75capacity@gmail.com. We will make sure that you have the guide, you have the information, and you have access to our October 8th meeting. Um, again, we want to say thank you. We know this is your lunchtime. Uh so thank you for being willing to lunch and learn and give us a little little bit of your
fe um as we move into this space. Once again uh Vice President Bonia, if you want to go ahead and give us a time signature so we can um allow the interpreters to be free and to um adjourn the meeting. You have it back in your hands. >> No problem.
At this time again, I would like to just thank you all and looking forward to our October 8th meeting at 6:30 p.m. Right now it's 12:54. We will be ending the meeting and our interpretation.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you.