Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment opened as usual this school year. But if not for a campaign led by UFT Chapter Leader Kesha Hopkins, the small high school, which is part of the New Visions high school network, would no longer have existed.

Last fall, Hopkins learned that her school’s principal was set to retire in June. Then, she was tipped off that Noah Angeles, the superintendent for New Visions high schools, intended to use the retirement as an opening to merge Hopkins’ school with the Brooklyn School for Music and Theater, which is co-located in the same building. The Panel for Educational Policy was set to vote on the merger in December 2024.

After Angeles told the school leadership team and staff about the plan, Hopkins quickly followed up with a UFT chapter meeting.

Hopkins said she opposed the merger because the Brooklyn Academy of Science and the Environment has a graduation rate of more than 94% and a fruitful partnership with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

“Our school has been doing well, so why should we no longer exist?” she said.

In mid-November, Hopkins and her fellow UFT members held a Zoom meeting with parents to organize a campaign to oppose the merger.

Parents, staff and alumni sent nearly 3,000 letters to PEP panelists voicing their opposition. Hopkins reached out to the Assembly member and City Council member whose districts include the school. Both said they had been unaware of the merger plan and pledged their support to fight it.

It didn’t take long for Angeles to shift course. “He must have gotten an earful,” Hopkins said.

On Dec. 3, the superintendent sent a letter to school staff informing them that the merger was off — although he warned it might be reconsidered if enrollment, now at 250, does not improve. Hopkins said the school is working on a plan to recruit more students next year.

Whitney Witthaus, who was the school’s UFT delegate last year, said the victory empowered chapter members.

“We got to hear what people loved so much about our school and why they felt it was really worth saving,” Witthaus said. “We did a brave thing collectively. I was really proud that it was our union that was able to facilitate that.”