DeWitt Clinton – early engagement
Thursday the Department of Education dragged itself (two representatives) to Mosholu Parkway in the Bronx – to plan the closure of DeWitt Clinton HS. Of course, this is early engagement – they did not announce their intent. But we knew. We all knew.
Early in the week I thought – and most of Clinton thought – that this would be the joint hearing, the spectacle at which a Deputy Superintendent would listen – or pretend to listen – and then announce the closure. But bad info. By the time we found out it was early engagement, many teachers were already planning to attend, some students still wanted to come, and it was not possible to uninvite alumni who had already committed. This accounted for a relatively high turnout (over half of their huge auditorium, only a handful in the balcony) disproportionate to the (relative un-)importance of the event.
Of course, full mobilization will dwarf Thursday night. DeWitt Clinton has been an institution, in the rock-solid
Early in the week I thought – and most of Clinton thought – that this would be the joint hearing, the spectacle at which a Deputy Superintendent would listen – or pretend to listen – and then announce the closure. But bad info. By the time we found out it was early engagement, many teachers were already planning to attend, some students still wanted to come, and it was not possible to uninvite alumni who had already committed. This accounted for a relatively high turnout (over half of their huge auditorium, only a handful in the balcony) disproportionate to the (relative un-)importance of the event.
Of course, full mobilization will dwarf Thursday night. DeWitt Clinton has been an institution, in the rock-solid
