PEP votes to replace Kennedy with charter schools

The Panel for Educational Policy voted unanimously Tuesday night to replace the soon-to-be-phased-out John F. Kennedy High School with two charter schools.

The New Visions Charter High School for the Humanities and The New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math and Science will begin taking ninth graders at the start of the next school year. At the same time, JFK will eliminate its ninth grade and gradually reduce in size over four years as the New Visions charters grow to full capacity.

The vote on changes to school utilization took place at Brooklyn Technical High School. It was much more subdued than last month’s vote to close Kennedy, drawing only a few hundred people and a small protest. Only one person — the vice president of New Visions — spoke specifically about the proposal to replace Kennedy with charters.

“We’re proud to be considered for placement on the Kennedy campus … we believe families need and want choice,” Ronald Chaluisan said.

Kennedy’s was one of seven proposals to receive unanimous approval from the panel, whose members are appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the borough presidents. All 12 proposals were passed.