City Council Member Mark Treyger’s (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend) chairmanship of the Education Committee is already bearing fruits not only for his district, but for the entire southern Brooklyn area.
That after Treyger secured over $10.3 million for southern Brooklyn schools in FY 2019, building on over $18 million secured during his first term in office, from 2014 to 2018. The allocation delivers major funding for an innovative urban farm project, accessibility and technology upgrades, new computer/science labs, auditorium retrofittings and more for southern Brooklyn schools.
“As a former educator, and now the chair of the City Council’s Committee on Education, it is my belief that every classroom should be equipped with smartboards, and that every student has access to laptops and all of the modern educational tools and resources that empower our children to thrive academically,” said Treyger. “I’m proud to have secured significant funding that moves us closer to that goal.”
Treyger, in partnership with City Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Manhattan), has also secured funding to improve facilities at several schools across the 47th Council District. Six schools – John Dewey High School, I.S. 281, I.S. 303, P.S. 95, P.S. 188, and P.S. 205 – will receive auditorium upgrades and enhancements, including cooling, totaling $6.3 million.
Coney Island’s Liberation Diploma Plus High School along with P.S. 101, and P.S./I.S. 288 will receive gymnasium upgrades, including new cooling systems, totaling nearly $1.5 million. Other allocations include $175,000 for accessibility upgrades at P.S. 212, $200,000 for Computer and Science Lab upgrades at Abraham Lincoln High School and Brooklyn Studio Secondary School, and $65,000 for library upgrades at P.S. 329.
Treyger also continued his commitment toward investing in career-based education, allocating $300,000 for a brand new, state-of-the-art culinary arts kitchen/classroom at John Dewey High School, adding to $2.5 million he previously secured in order to further support this career-based educational program that prepare students for careers in food service, one of New York City’s fastest-growing job sectors.
The Dewey culinary investment is one piece of Treyger’s greater community vision to create and develop a pipeline for students focused on environmental awareness, sustainability, health, and nutrition. To expand that vision, Treyger partnered with Johnson to also secure $500,000 in funding for a new urban farm and garden project at Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies.
Previously, Treyger announced the allocation of funding for an innovative rooftop greenhouse/classroom at P.S. 97, and has helped secure funding through the council for an edible garden program at P.S. 216.
“It’s no secret that safe, comfortable, updated school facilities create an environment that is conducive for learning,” Treyger said. “I’m proud to continue injecting critical funding to maintain the upkeep of our schools and libraries, because our community’s children and families deserve nothing less.”
