NYC Chancellor cancels Upper West Side school closure plan amid racial controversy from leaked audio.

New York City Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels has decided to halt the proposed closure of the Community Action School (CAS) located on the Upper West Side. This decision comes in the wake of a heated school board meeting that garnered significant public attention due to racist remarks directed towards a Black student by a parent from another school. The contentious exchange, captured on a hot mic during a virtual assembly on February 10, raised serious concerns about racial issues within the educational community.

The initial plan aimed to phase out CAS gradually, ceasing enrollment grade by grade starting in the fall of 2026. This proposal was part of a larger strategy to restructure several schools within the district, addressing ongoing declines in student enrollment. However, the reaction following the controversial comments brought the plans into question.

At the center of the controversy was parent Allyson Friedman, who, during the meeting, made disparaging remarks about CAS students, suggesting they lacked awareness of the quality of their educational environment. Inappropriately referencing Martin Luther King Jr., she distorted a quote from historian Carter G. Woodson, igniting outrage amongst community members and educators. Following the backlash, Friedman, a professor at Hunter College, was placed on administrative leave as the school community condemned her statements.

After meeting with CAS students and school leadership, Chancellor Samuels recognized the profound impact of the racist comments on the school’s community. In an internal communication, he noted that the CAS community is in the process of healing and emphasized the necessity for stability amid their recovery. He articulated that the current environment required meaningful and comprehensive support rather than uncertainty introduced by closure plans.

In his commitment to addressing the issue of anti-Black racism, Samuels has outlined a series of initiatives, including restorative circles and the enhancement of a Black Studies curriculum. This educational approach aims not only to repair the harm inflicted by Friedman’s remarks but also to address underlying systemic issues.

Despite the decision to postpone the school’s closure, CAS continues to face challenges associated with low enrollment. Preliminary data indicates an enrollment figure of approximately 170 students for the current academic year. Families appreciate the school’s small size and its unique, supportive atmosphere, factors that initially drew them to the institution.

While the original closure proposal emerged under Samuels’ administration when he was the district’s superintendent, the Chancellor’s recent actions indicate a pivot towards prioritizing community voices and fostering a more inclusive educational environment. Moving forward, Samuels is committed to working closely with the CAS community to explore viable solutions that bolster both enrollment and support for students.

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