The Department of Education (DOE) faced significant backlash after abruptly closing five daycare centers due to alleged poor enrollment, a decision reversed following public outcry. Although temporary agreements allow the centers to remain open for one more year, the long-term future of these facilities and their 300 children remains uncertain. During a City Council hearing, officials and frustrated parents highlighted the DOE's disorganization and failure to properly investigate enrollment statistics, resulting in undue hardship for families and staff reliant on these services.
"While this temporary extension provides some relief, it does not address larger issues that led to the situation in the first place," Chair Rita Joseph said at a City Council oversight hearing Thursday.
"The DOE failed to conduct even the most basic investigation into how the database inaccurately reported low enrollment numbers," mother Stephanie Garcia testified at the hearing. "Instead, they chose to ban over 150 families and 80 staff members leaving them to scramble for affordable care options and jobs."
"It's a running joke at this point. How can you trust an agency that is this disorganized to make the best decisions for our children?" Garcia said.
"With less than 24 hours notice before families were sent to register their children for the next school year on the school portal, we were blindsided with the news that our lease would not be renewed," Chungata said.
#daycare-closures #department-of-education #parent-backlash #early-childhood-education #enrollment-management
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