There were rodents in the classroom and feces at the schools’ entrance. Homeless people and the proof of drug use were found in and around the building. The children of Neighborhood School PS 363 and The STAR Academy had suffered in these disturbing conditions for three years before parents collected 600 signatures on a petition stating that these three disgusting years did indeed happen. The contracting company responsible for this severe negligence was Kafka Construction. They had delayed their completion date twice and seemed to show no interest in finishing the work or the problems their construction (or rather lack of construction) caused. On June 13, the New York City School Construction Authority ended Kafka Construction’s contract. For three years the building has been covered in scaffolding.
Emergency contractors have been brought in by the SCA to finish the work, and the hope is that the construction will be finished in time for the beginning of the school year.
“If this were a private school, no child would be expected to go to school under these conditions,” said Ali Smith, a parent on the neighborhood school’s Health and Safety Committee. “There would be costly litigation.
“What Kafka did to these kids was immoral. We are happy that the community and elected officials share our concerns and hope they continue to support our school. But as parents, we will no longer be complacent.”
It was the concern of parents and local politicians that played a major role in pushing the SCA to find new contractors. In general, everyone is pleased with the removal of Kafka, but the school is still rat infested, and it is a major concern whether the building can become a suitable learning environment in time for the new school year.
Kafka declined to comment when contacted by the Amsterdam News.