November 13, 2010
More traffic, more noise, more pollution in a small neighborhood with an already-strained infrastructure.
Some Hallandale Beach residents say that's exactly what they are expecting if the city approves Ben Gamla, a proposed Hebrew-English charter school.
They voiced their opinions at a recent community meeting at the city's Cultural Community Center to discuss the project, alongside others who think the school would be a welcome addition.
Margaret Schorr said there are limited educational opportunities in the city.
"A school like this in the area can only enhance Hallandale," she said.
The school, slated to serve 600 students in grades 7-12, would operate out of the Hallandale Jewish Center, 416 NE Eighth Ave.
Peter Deutsch, a former U.S. congressman, founded the first Ben Gamla site in 2007 amid controversy over whether it would be a religious school.
School district officials approved the courses, and Deutsch has moved on with expansion plans that include locations in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Deutsch said city staff has concluded that there is capacity on Eighth Avenue for this project, and traffic should not be a concern.
Some residents were skeptical, however.
"This is a rainy afternoon," Cynthia Cabrera said as she held up a large photo of a flooded street. "Why are you pushing so hard to have a school on a street where the infrastructure is so poor?"
Some at the meeting questioned whether those who spoke out in favor were actually from the neighborhood.
"How many parents are receiving volunteer hours for attending this meeting?" asked Josephine Alongi, who smiled when several people raised their hands.
Sharon Miller, principal at the school's Hollywood location, confirmed that some parents will receive volunteer hours for attending.
"Meetings that parents can earn volunteer hours include PTO, student advisory committee and monthly parent workshops," she said. "If there are meetings that pertain to our school, and the high school pertains to the growth of our organization, parents will receive volunteer hours for their attendance."
Mitchel Levin, who supports the school, said it could be a boon to the area.
"Don't close your mind to this," he said. "Six-hundred families will be spending their money here."
Barbara Southwick, who serves on the city's education advisory board, was opposed.
"The nature of Ben Gamla will not draw our most financially, educationally and environmentally deprived, which was the original concept of charter schools," she said. "Since schools are paid through your taxes per pupil, our public schools suffer when we fund such a specialized school."
Catherine Kim Owens, who also serves on the board, cited the small percentage of black students at Ben Gamla's Hollywood location.
"Obviously, this is not an inclusive school for all of the community," she said.
Deutsch refuted that categorization.
"We make an effort to recruit [a diverse student body]," he said. "We reach out to political leaders and church leaders. We advertise in Creole and Spanish. We make an effort, but we can't make someone come to our school."
Owens said residents would continue to fight the proposal.
"They told me the Diplomat [hotel expansion proposal] was a done deal, but this community showed those powerful lobbyists and politicians what grassroots movement voters can do," she said. "This Ben Gamla school is another example of a powerful ex-politician and well-heeled friends trying to shoehorn into a tiny area an over-the-top development at the expense of 10- to 50-year residents."
Sergy Odiduro can be reached at sodiduro@tribune.com.
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