The policy of placing charter schools in the same buildings as traditional public schools disproportionately affects public schools that have majority Latino student bodies. Parents are divided on the issue, according to a study presented yesterday by Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.

The study examined the potential impact of charter schools in P.S. 308 and on the campus of Louis D. Brandeis High School in Manhattan. The Department of Education (DOE) proposed the idea.

Results showed that the public schools, both with mostly Latino student bodies, would lose classrooms, see an increase in the number of students per class, and would lose physical education programs.

De Blasio put forth the study titled "Consensus for Reform: A collaborative plan to reduce conflict between charter and public schools over co-location." The report lists eight steps for making the shared use of public school space more open and fair for all communities involved.

"We need education reforms that unite school communities instead of dividing them," said the public advocate.

The study was released just days before an upcoming decision on the lawsuit against shared space involving 17 charter schools and other expansions proposed by the DOE for 2012.

Parents affected by the process attended the meeting where Bill de Blasio discussed the report.

"The DOE gave us false information, saying that there is space in our schools to add charter schools, when in reality the schools are overcrowded," said Carlos Ruiz, a parent and school leader.

"P.S. 29 had three floors and it was put in the basement so that the three floors could be used by charter school students," added the father of Puerto Rican descent, who belongs to School District 3 in northern Manhattan.

Ruiz pointed out that despite the high number of votes from parents and community leaders against adding more charter schools to the Brandeis campus, the DOE decided to do it anyway.

"That means they aren't considering the needs of parents, the community, and the students, who are the most affected because the charter schools decrease the quality of education they receive," added Ruiz.

The DOE responded that they are always searching for ways to improve their procedures and listen to the suggestions of parents, community leaders, and elected officials regarding this important issue. However, a DOE communiqué stated: "751 of our schools – almost 50 percent – share space, and in a city where space is a luxury, we're going to keep making sure we are using our buildings efficiently for all our students."