By Oliver Koppell

The excellence and popularity of our local schools, as well as the increase in development in Riverdale, has created a rise in enrollment in Riverdale schools, PS 24 and the Robert J. Christen School, PS 81, leading to overcrowding at these facilities. It is anticipated that as more new buildings become occupied, the overcrowding will increase, seriously jeopardizing the academic quality of these schools.

The quality of our schools has always been a top priority for me. I have fought vigorously for the return of the Whitehall annex to PS 24 to alleviate overcrowding at that facility. I am pleased that this appears to be happening. We expect to get definite confirmation shortly. However, this alone will not solve the overcrowding problem at PS 81, the possibility of additional gifted and talented classes or the zoning issues surrounding PS 7 and PS 207 in Kingsbridge.

Consequently, I recently met with officials at the city Department of Education to discuss rezoning as a means of resolving some of these issues. Under consideration is the rezoning of PS 7, which is slightly under-enrolled, in order to accommodate some of the students now zoned for PS 81. This would be further facilitated, and greater continuity provided for students, if the zones for PS 7 and PS 207 were reconfigured so that each would become a kindergarten-throughfifth- grade school. The reworking of enrollment patterns at PS 7 and PS 207 is currently being explored by the Department of Education.

The need for an additional gifted and talented class in the area is also one that I have raised with the Department of Education. The return of the Whitehall annex makes this conceivable, as does the possibility of locating a new class at PS 7. More discussions need to occur before this issue is resolved.

In addition, the Department of Education’s new draft fiveyear capital plan contemplates building a new school in the area. There should be a discussion in the community as to whether there is a need for a new school, and if so, the location and configuration of the school.

I was told by the Department of Ed that a rezoning plan for Riverdale and Kingsbridge elementary schools will be developed for implementation in 2010 to alleviate overcrowding and equalize enrollment. Now is the time for the community to express its views about this critical issue. Please contact me at my office at 718-549-7300 or Marvin Shelton, president of the Community Education Council for District 10, at 718-741-5836.

I welcome the views of all interested constituents and look forward to a continuing dialogue on the future of our local public schools.

Oliver Koppell represents Riverdale and Kingsbridge in the City Council’s 11th District.

Point of view is an occasional column open to all readers.