Dear John,

Today marks the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the unanimous landmark Supreme Court decision that ended the legal segregation of public schools based on race. Separate is not, in fact, equal.

Yet 70 years after Brown v. Board, New York City Public Schools remains one of the most segregated public school systems in our country.

A concerning 70% of NYC public schools are still intensely segregated after decades of redlining, gentrification, and unequal access to schools with screened admissions.

I recently partnered with education nonprofit, New York Appleseed, on a report showing how intentional and inclusive school mergers can be a viable and cost-effective way for the City to meet New York State’s new class size mandate—all while centering diversity.

How do we know this works? Just look at the successful school merger that created Arts and Letters 305 United in Brooklyn. New York City has a unique opportunity to reduce class size, distribute resources more equally, and advance the vision of a less segregated school system through school mergers.

Investments in our public education are investments in the future of New York City. I will never stop fighting to fully invest in equitable education opportunities that will cement for our children the futures they deserve.

In solidarity,

Brad