New York

On August 27th, City Council Candidate Gus Prentzas (D-22) participated in an educational forum at the Boys and Girls Club of Astoria hosted by Zone 126, a nonprofit organization sponsored by the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, who's mission statement is to see all children from Astoria and Long Island City's Zones of Promise graduate from high school and pursue higher education by providing programs and services from cradle to career.

“There's a big gap with kids allowed to go to other schools and it's due to the inequality in after school programming. We have to bring in more after school programs and craft programs – something for kids to work with their hands. The current focus is on passing exams which is stressing kids and teachers and not bringing up the level of education,” said Prentzas.

One of Prentzas's primary concerns was equality of education throughout the district. Prentzas claimed that the issue is mainly about providing equitable services across the district to help cut down the number of parents sending their children to schools across the district just because they lack certain programs.

“We need to focus on resources and assistance for school districts as they move toward funding all of our schools equally,” said Prentzas.

As City Council Member, Prentzas said he would advocate for equal Funding for every school in the district while noting the impact of disproportionate funding and offering reforms requiring equal treatment under the law.

“Schools serving the lowest-income communities and those with the largest numbers of minority students are usually the most affected,” he noted.

“How we fund our public schools is, therefore, fundamental to our City's effort to ensure that all students have access to high quality educational opportunities that prepare them to assume the responsibilities of adulthood and to succeed in the economy,” he said.

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