The Panel for Educational Policy approved 13 charter school colocation proposals at its monthly meeting, held Wednesday night at the Fashion Industries High School in Chelsea.

New York City families packed the school's 1,300-seat auditorium, according to NY1.   Charter school parents and students testified that their schools required more space to support growing populations, while public school families voiced frustration with the loss of valuable resources, such as science labs and libraries, to already-existing space constraints.

"I can understand why any school moving in would like more space, that makes sense," said schools Chancellor Joel Klein at the hearing. "But what's particularly interesting tonight Mr. Chairman is that all of a sudden, when charter schools are involved in sharing space there's been a big political push back and we should see it for what it is," Klein said.

Last month, the PEP voted to close 19 public schools before a packed auditorium of public school advocates at Brooklyn Tech High School. Some commentors accused the panel of pitting families against each other by placing charter schools in public schools.  Klein openly refuted this claim.

At last night's meeting, Robert Jackson, chair of the City Council Education Committee, revived this accusation, citing that the disproportionate number of charter advocates in the evening's crowd did not represent public opinion -- many charter parents were bused to the event and provided dinner for attending, reports the Daily News.

How can public and charter schools share space efficiently and coexist? Share your thoughts!