Education officials defended their plan to build an annex for an overcrowded Bronx school during a tense public meeting Thursday evening.

Many parents say they are concerned about safety and whether the annex would actually alleviate the overcrowding at P.S. 71.

The current proposal involves building an annex for 270 kindergartners and preschoolers at a parking lot near Pelham Parkway South and Continental Avenue, which is just a few minutes away from the existing school.

Parents say the location is unsafe because it is near major roads and a supportive housing unit. They also say that by only relocating very young students, the annex would not even address the overcrowding.

The Department of Education has maintained that the proposed site is a good fix and that the annex will indeed offer relief for the overcrowded school.

Officials also told parents that they would consider their concerns.