The Guild for Exceptional Children Carrie Mastronardi Early Childhood Education Center is in imminent danger of closing!

The GEC Early Childhood Education Program has provided an essential service to the local community for over 35 years. This program provides much needed education services to children from ages 3 to 5, with a focus on education and service for children with special needs. The population of the school is made up of children from mainly Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese speaking communities in Brooklyn.

In a letter given to staff members dated October 27th, 2014, Paul Cassone, the CEO of the GEC, stated that due to an unsustainable financial situation this unique and essential program will be closing its doors by the end of January, 2015. Insufficient funding from the NY State Education Department was cited a primary cause of the current financial status of the school.

The GEC Early Childhood Education Program employs over 90 professionals including classroom teachers, music and art teachers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, aides, administration and support staff. Not only will the closing of this program mean the loss of services to communities in need, but it will also mean the loss of many jobs; a major blow to the local economy.

Please help us to save the loss of the GEC Early Childhood Education Center. News of the potential closing of the school has mobilized current and former employees, parents, and members of the local community to action.