Community voices in the Bronx are gearing up to be heard on the subject of Preston High School's impending closure, as New York Attorney General Letitia James has called for a public hearing. The forum is set to take place on April 8 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Lehman High School Auditorium, with a focus on collecting testimonies from stakeholders about the impact of the school's shutdown.
James underscored the importance of the all-girls Catholic school to the local fabric, it having educated Bronx students for 75 years, “The prospect of the school closing its doors is concerning and will greatly impact students, staff, and local families. While we continue to monitor and assess this matter, it is essential that we hear directly from stakeholders on how to move forward in the best interest of the community,” she said. Interested individuals are asked to submit their oral testimonies in writing by April 4 if they wish to speak at the hearing, which will also be accessible to the public via a livestream but this announcement comes in the wake of the school's own announcement last month in which they revealed plans to shut down at the conclusion of the current school year, as detailed by the Attorney General's office.
According to a press release from the Attorney General's office, the hearing aims to inform the office's understanding of how the school's closure will affect the community and to deliberate on a viable path forward that might mitigate negative impacts. For those who require assistance to participate in the hearing, the Attorney General's office has made provisions for accommodations, indicating that requests should be directed to the office's ADA Administrator adequately in advance.
