In a 𝓈𝒽𝓸𝒸𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 revelation, the principal of an elementary school near Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal admitted to parents that she sometimes lacks the time to communicate vital information regarding the toxic air affecting their children’s learning environment. Principal Rosa Amato, who has led PS 372 since 2015 and earns over $200,000 a year, made this eyebrow-raising comment during a virtual town hall meeting on Monday night, attended by around 80 concerned parents and community members.
During the meeting, a parent expressed frustration over delays in communication, specifically referencing a letter from the Department of Environmental Conservation that took over a week to reach families. Amato’s response left many parents incredulous: “Yes, one week seems like a long time. But sometimes I am way too busy and miss things.”
This summer, parents learned that mitigation efforts initiated in 2024 at the school’s annex—home to pre-K and kindergarten classrooms—had failed to resolve the air quality issues. While state officials claim that levels of hazardous chemicals like benzene and xylene are now within a “normal” range, many parents and experts remain skeptical and are advocating for the complete removal of the contaminated soil beneath the building.
Attendees of the town hall included representatives from the Health Department and the Department of Conservation, who addressed selected questions. However, it was Amato’s nonchalant admission that particularly angered parents. “I was offended by Principal Rosa saying she was too busy to communicate properly and sometimes misses things.
We’ve had two years of mitigation failure, and it has been RIDICULOUS,” one parent, who wished to remain anonymous, shared with The Post.
Frustrated parents have even launched a petition calling for Governor Kathy Hochul to resign, citing a lack of transparency and concern for their children’s health. Many reported receiving crucial updates during holidays or breaks—when families are less likely to check emails—often long after the school had been informed.
“Amato is a terrible communicator,” lamented one parent whose children are entering first and fifth grades. Another mother, who also chose to remain anonymous, highlighted her personal financial contributions to secure high-efficiency air filters for classrooms, noting that Amato failed to attend a crucial meeting about potential donations.
Online reviews paint a troubling picture of Amato’s leadership style, with one parent stating, “Principal Rosa Amato sets the tone for how concerns are handled, and repeatedly, that tone is dismissive rather than supportive.”
As the situation escalates, at least six families have decided to withdraw their children from the school, while eight others are contemplating similar actions. “We love PS 372; it’s a fantastic school, but without clarity on when the air quality issues will be resolved, it feels impossible to keep our youngest enrolled,” said Claire Graves, who is removing her kindergartener from the school. “If he gets sick from the vapor, how do we explain that we ignored our instincts to protect him?”
The DEC and DOH have stated they are committed to ensuring the safety of students and staff at the school, announcing plans to enhance ventilation before the school year begins. However, both Amato and the Department of Education have yet to respond to requests for comment.
As parents continue to voice their concerns, one question lingers: what will it take for the school administration to prioritize communication and transparency in this critical situation?
