In a decision that has sparked outrage among parents and community members, James Madison High School in Brooklyn temporarily closed its doors to students on Wednesday to accommodate asylum seekers seeking shelter from a storm. The move has left many questioning if schools will be impacted every time severe weather occurs.

Expressing their frustration, parents and residents of the Midwood community argued that students' education should not have been disrupted to make room for asylum seekers in the school's gym and auditorium. "It's inexcusable to do this to the students of New York City, especially after all they've been through with COVID," voiced one concerned individual. Another resident named Steve added, "They have to come up with another solution. They cannot do this to school kids."

Parents were caught off guard when they received a notification on Tuesday that their children would be learning remotely. Their dissatisfaction grew when they discovered that some online classes did not take place as scheduled.

The decision to house nearly 2,000 asylum seekers, comprising around 500 families, at James Madison High was announced by city officials on Tuesday due to concerns over the resilience of their tent shelters at Floyd Bennett Field during the severe weather. "We're doing this out of an abundance of caution because of the high winds," explained Zach Iscol, the New York City Office of Emergency Management Commissioner.

However, the timing of the migrants' return to Floyd Bennett Field at 4:15 a.m. on Wednesday has raised questions among community members and state Assemblyman Michael Novakhov. Novakhov expressed his sympathy for the migrants and wondered why they were moved in the middle of the night, particularly considering that school was already closed. He suggested that the migrants could have stayed until 6 or 7 a.m., taking into account the logistical challenges and costs associated with relocating hundreds of people.

Community leaders and elected officials have called for the city to be provided with a list of alternative vacant buildings, excluding schools, that would be more suitable for housing migrants in the future.

While James Madison High School undergoes cleaning procedures, sports practices have been canceled for the day. As the controversy surrounding the decision continues, the community hopes for a resolution that prioritizes the educational needs of students while also addressing the needs of asylum seekers during extreme weather events.