Crowley urges NYC to reopen high schools

Forest Hills families protested school closures in October 2020. Eagle file photo by Rachel Vick

By David Brand

Queens’ current borough president has the backing of New York City’s largest teachers union, but one of his top challengers is making a play for parents.

Elizabeth Crowley, a former councilmember who filed her borough president campaign committee last month, is calling on New York City to reopen high schools for in-person learning to ensure older students receive high-quality education.

“Our students are suffering and need to immediately resume in-person education,” Crowley said.

She cited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines — and Mayor de Blasio’s own past statements — indicating that schools have a low rate of COVID transmission when social distancing, mask-wearing and capacity rules are upheld. 

“In NYC, we have seen most private and Catholic schools reopen without spreading the virus and our public schools should do the same,” Crowley said. 

De Blasio said Monday that middle schools will reopen in two weeks. The announcement came after parent and student groups rallied around the city to resume in-person classes. 

The United Federation of Teachers, which backed Borough President Donovan Richards for reelection Feb. 6, signaled its support for the middle school reopening plan as long as the city follows through on an ambitious COVID testing plan.

“The UFT will be monitoring to ensure that the testing regimen, the personal protective equipment and social distancing requirements are strictly adhered to as new grades and buildings reopen, the union said in a statement Monday.

Crowley finished second to Richards in the 2020 Democratic primary for the open seat in Borough Hall. A third candidate, Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, has also entered the race.