Hear From Queens Borough President Candidates at Open Education Forum Tomorrow

Tomorrow, December 10 at 7 p.m., educational organizations Zone 126 and the Varsity Boys and Girls Club are hosting an Education Forum with the Queens Borough Presidential Candidates. They are running to replace Melinda Katz in the position, now that she won the Queens District Attorney race last month. The position serves as a kind of “brand ambassador” for their borough, managing community boards, city budgeting, and land use matters (this article gives a good explanation).

According to Politico, a nonpartisan election should be held within 45 days of Katz assuming the new post, which will likely happen Jan. 1.

The current candidates are:

• Costa Constantindes, NYC Council Member (District 22)
• Jimmy Van Bramer, NYC Council Member (District 26)
• Donovan Richards, NYC Council Member (District 31)
• Alicia Hyndman, NYC Assembly Member
• Elizabeth Crowley, Former NYC Council Member

The forum will be an open dialogue with the candidates to discuss the state of education in Queens, class size, building new schools, chronic absenteeism (missing ten percent or more of the academic year for any reason), and other community issues that affect educational policy.

It’s entirely open to the community, so if you want your opinion heard on these issues or want to learn more, put it on your calendar! It would also be a good opportunity to see where the candidates stand.

When: Tuesday, December 10, 7-8:30 p.m.

Where: Varsity Boys & Girls Club of Queens, 21-12 30th Rd., Long Island City, 11102

Food and refreshments will be served.