Bed-Stuy Schools Gets $200K From City To Improve Diversity: Mayor

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — Bed-Stuy's school district won a $200,000 grant from the city to test new ways to improve diversity in its schools, the Mayor's office announced Monday.

District 16 is one of five school zones to receive a chunk of cash from a $2 million grant program meant to foster grassroots integration plans across New York City.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and School Chancellor Richard Carranza also announced New York public schools — among the most segregated in the nation — would adopt 62 recommendations from the city's School Diversity Advisory Group.

“There’s no one who knows better how to diversify our school system than our students, parents and teachers,” said de Blasio.

“Accepting the School Diversity Advisory Group’s recommendations and awarding diversity grants to five new school districts are crucial steps forward toward ensuring that every student, no matter their zip code, has access to a school where they can thrive.”

The $200,000 will help Bed-Stuy formulate a diversity proposal by funding local meetings, working groups and the hiring of community planning firms that specialize in diversity, officials said.

District 9 in The Bronx, District 13, which covers Brooklyn Heights through Clinton Hill, District 28 in Queens and Staten Island's District 31 were also awarded $200,000 grants and five more districts will be similarly funded later this year.

"This grant will allow school districts to work with their community and the DOE in developing broader diversity and integration plans," said Brooklyn City Councilman Stephen Levin. "I look forward to supporting our schools, students, and PTA members in achieving community-driven solutions.”

The announcement comes days after hundreds of students rallied on the steps of City Hall to demand de Blasio accept and act on the School Diversity Advisory Group's recommendations and Brownsville student Tiffani Torres, 16, quizzed the mayor on the Brian Lehrer show about why "he’s kind of just disappeared."

"How much longer will it take before you make the choice to end the segregationist enrollment policies in our high schools?" Torres asked.

"I really think you're not hearing what we're saying to you, so I'll repeat it," replied de Blasio. "You're going to see all the products of this in the end. And I'm very comfortable it's going to lead to a lot of change."