Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton, Rockaways) announced that 29 schools within his district received $21 million in capital funding grants in Fiscal Year 2019.
An additional $10 million was secured for schools in Downtown Far Rockaway as a result of rezoning negotiations in 2017, according to Richards’ office.
“Since I became a Council Member, the easiest and most gratifying decision I make every year is to provide funding to local schools for technology and capital upgrades that will help ensure that students across Council District 31 have every advantage to compete with the best and brightest across the city,” said Richards.
In the southeast Queens section of Richards’ district, P.S. 195 in Rosedale received the most funding out of 12 schools in that area for playground renovations, sound system upgrades and improved gym lighting at a cost of $1.3 million, according to his office.
M.S. 355/356 in Springfield Gardens and P.S. 132 in Rosedale didn’t fall too far behind in funding and received $1.2 million and $1 million, respectively, for a music studio and auditorium upgrades and kitchen upgrades.
George Washington Carver High School in Springfield Gardens, Merrick Academy in Laurelton, P.S. 156 in Laurelton, P.S./I.S. 270 in Rosedale, Queens United Middle School in Laurelton and the Springfield Gardens Education Campus received funds ranging from $450,000 to $650,000 for various technology upgrades, a media center, and a new sound and projection system.
Excelsior Preparatory High School, Community Voices Heard Middle School and P.S. 251 in Springfield Gardens, and P.S. 52 received $100,000 to $290,000 for an auditorium, science lab and various technology upgrades.
Funds totaled $7,235,000 in southeast Queens.
The schools in the Rockaways that received the most funding included Village Academy ($2.9 million) for a greenhouse and technology upgrades, Far Rockaway Educational Campus ($2.65 million) for wood/robotics shop and complete library upgrades, Beach Channel High School ($2.5 million) for a weight room, cafeteria and A/Cs, P.S. 183 ($1.65 million) for tech and park upgrades and P.S. 104 ($1.5 million) for technology and park upgrades.
The Academy of Medical Technology, Bethel Mission Loving Day Care Center, Challenge Preparatory Academy, the Frederick Douglas Academy, the Peninsula Preparatory Academy, P.S. 105, P.S. 197, P.S. 253, P.S. 256, P.S. 42, P.S. 43 and P.S./M.S. 43 received funds ranging from $80,000 to $260,000 for laptops in a learning center, smart boards and various technology upgrades.
Funds totaled $21,755,000 in the Rockaways.
“The schools in Southeast Queens and the Rockaways have suffered from inequitable resources for decades, so one of the most valuable ways I can spend my discretionary funding is to provide these students with the resources that every child in New York City deserves,” said Richards. “The number one way to ensure our students are on a path for success is to provide them with the necessary and diverse tools that will give them every opportunity to succeed.”
