While perusing Harlem articles today, I came across a subject even more scary than the identical clown costumes Cheryl and I will wear for Halloween- New York City public schools.

Having a non-traditional child (our cat Cimbi), articles like this one on a Wednesday public schools Town Hall meeting at St. Mary's Church usually fly below our radar. However, this one hit close to home, like right across the street close to home, when a teacher from P.S. 149 was quoted:

[Teacher Pat] Sherwood said that Harlem's P.S. 149, on W. 117th St., was particularly problem-ridden. "There's a lack of professionalism from the administration," she said. "It pushes teachers, rushes teachers ... There's a major investigation going on within the administration. We don't know the full story. This lack of communication has to stop."

Another choice quote includes: Avis Sylvester, a teacher at P.S. 149, said that she had "seen books in the garbage" at other schools. "Some schools have too much and don’t know what to do with it, and others don't have enough," she said. "I couldn't stand to look at the garbage—good textbooks were thrown out."

For more, including quotes from State Sen. Bill Perkins, click through to the full Columbia Spectator article.