Mark-Viverito was for charters before she was against them
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KEEP SHOVELING: Melissa Mark-Viverito (second from right) and Yankee Mark Teixeira (second from left) help break ground for an East Harlem charter last year. Now she’s signed on to an anti-charter suit.Photo: William Alatriste/City Counci
Melissa Mark-Viverito was for charter schools in her East Harlem district — until she hungered to become the next City Council speaker, critics charge.
Viverito last week signed on to a lawsuit to block dozens of charter schools from sharing building space with traditional public schools — including Dream Charter School on her own turf.
The move baffled charter-school proponents.
“Thousands of children from Viverito’s district are thriving in public charter schools, but their futures are threatened by this lawsuit,” said Josefina Calcano, a parent at Success Academy Harlem 4 charter school and a resident in Viverito’s district.
“The councilwoman has stood up for charter schools in the past, so I want to know what made her change her mind. She’s clearly putting politics before our