New home – more problems?
Despite adding another grade, enrollment at the controversial Arab-themed public school in Brooklyn that was saddled with leadership and discipline issues last year has grown by just 30 students, The Post has learned.
Although the Khalil Gibran International Academy’s move from Park Slope to a building in DUMBO led some parents to pull their kids out, others said it was the roller-coaster school year that sealed the deal.
“At this point, I’ve disassociated myself with the school. I want nothing to do with the school,” said Muhammed Fakir, whose daughter Serena attended the sixth grade last year.
He said many of the parents who yanked their kids cited discord with school Principal Holly Anne Reichert.
She took over the helm soon after the school’s founder and former principal, Debbie Almontaser, resigned under pressure after failing to condemn “Intifada NYC” T-shirts distributed by an organization with links to her.
The school had about 60 students in the sixth grade at its peak last year, and enrolled a total of 90 this year despite having grown to include a seventh grade.
School officials said the academy was still enrolling students, but that the move to a new neighborhood contributed to the shortfall.
Reichert declined comment.