FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM SEPTEMBER 12, 2019 • THE QUEENS COURIER 3
More construction
delays frustrate Bayside
BY JENNA BAGCAL
jbagcal@qns.com
@jenna_bagcal
“No parking” signs litter a large stretch of
38th Avenue in Bayside as the never-ending
sewer and water main replacement project
continues.
But many times there are no construction
workers in sight. Th is was the case on
Monday, Sept. 9, where photos showed nothing
but clear roads as drivers circled the
block aft er block in search of parking.
Th e signs denoted that drivers are not
allowed to park in marked areas from 7 a.m.
to 6 p.m. from Sept. 9 to 13. However, actual
construction work was not spotted on 38th
Avenue until Sept. 11. Workers were seen
in trenches along 38th Avenue while others
were directing traffi c.
Photo shows no construction in sight
despite a slew of “no parking” signs on 38th
Avenue.
According to Project Manager Boris
Sirunyan, representatives from the construction
fi rm CAC Industries “constantly monitor”
locations to see where residents can
resume parking. But Sirunyan defended the
amount of space construction zones take up,
saying that the sites encompass more than
just the streets they dig up.
“A construction zone is not only the
actual trench but equipment, trucking. All
this needs some space to operate,” Sirunyan
told QNS in August.
The Department of Design and
Construction broke ground in May 2018 and
Sirunyan said that CAC Industries has fi nished
about 30 percent of the work.
In the past, residents have complained
about the start-and-stop nature of the work,
saying that workers come for a few days and
disappear for weeks on end.
“It seems like construction workers come
for a day and then they disappear for two
weeks,” said the owner of Mike & Sons Paint
and Wallpaper in January.
DDC said that the project is set to be fi nished
by 2021. Construction spans seven
miles in Bayside and Flushing and includes
new water mains, new storm and sanitary
sewers and 80 new fi re hydrants and catch
basins.
Emily Davenport contributed to this report.
DOE reverses decision to transfer special
ed teachers from non-public schools
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Th e New York City Department of
Education (DOE) has decided to keep
special education teachers serving
non-public schools in place following
concerns brought forth by Queens
lawmakers.
Assemblymembers Daniel Rosenthal
and Nily Rozic, along with state
Senator Joseph Addabbo, advocated
for a review of the policy by the
DOE and the mayor’s offi ce. Following
the conversations, the city determined
that Special Education Teacher
Support Services (SETSS) providers
would continue in their assignments
for at least one additional school year
from 2019 to 2020.
“We are committed to ensuring that
all New York City students received
a great education, and we are glad
we can continue the SETSS services
as previously provided,” said Karin
Goldmark, DOE deputy chancellor of
school planning and development.
Th e city employs 10 special education
teachers to provide support to
students with disabilities attending
nine non-public schools in Queens.
Changes in federal law regarding service
delivery for federally funded services
raised the concern that special
education teachers might be assigned.
Due to the sudden nature of the
announcement, the news was met with
backlash from parents, school administrators
and special education teachers
alike. Th e special education teachers
were expected to receive new assignments
across the city by September.
Following the news of possible provider
transfers, Rosenthal’s offi ce began
advocating for continued SETSS funding,
the assemblyman said.
“Th e success of the SETSS program
is evidenced by the hundreds
of students and parents that have
reached out to share their personal
stories,” Rosenthal said. “I am grateful
to the DOE for listening to our concerns
and for taking action to ensure
that all students are aff orded quality
comprehensive special education
services.”
Addabbo’s office also received
phone calls from teachers and parents
asking if there was anything they
could do to save the program.
Aft er working with the DOE, the
lawmakers are thankful that they have
reversed their decision and will allow
the SETTS instructors to remain with
their current assignments for the
2019-2020 school year.
“Special Education Teacher Support
Services (SETSS) educators have
been providing the highest quality
educational services for students in
non-public schools for years,” Rozic
said. “I am glad that the Department
of Education has agreed to allow the
SETSS program to continue for the
2019/2020 school year and will continue
advocating for the services all
students deserve.”
Photo by Bob Brennan/QNS
A “no parking” sign on 38th Avenue in Bayside
Photo via Getty Images
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