NYC Council Member Richards Presents More Than $21 Million in Capital Funding Grants to Schools in District 31

UsaNewsOnline.Com Desk, Springfield Gardens, N.Y. – On October 15, Council Member Donovan Richards joined principals and students from District 31 schools to announce discretionary funding and capital grants his office allocated to improve technology available to students in the classroom and provide upgrades that will enhance the resources available in schools across the district.

Since Fiscal Year 2019, more than $7.2 million was allocated to schools in Laurelton, Rosedale and Springfield Gardens. In Rockaway, more than $14 million was allocated. Included in the total allocation, $10 million was secured for schools in the district through the Downtown Far Rockaway rezoning negotiations in 2017.

“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 Council Member Donovan Richards. “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. 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.”

Laurelton, Rosedale and Springfield Gardens Schools Funded:

• Excelsior Preparatory High School – $100,000 for auditorium & science lab upgrades
• George Washington Carver High School – $450,000 for tech upgrades
• Merrick Academy – $500,000 for tech upgrades
• Community Voices Heard Middle School – $150,000 for tech upgrades
• MS 355/356 – $1,200,000 for a music studio & auditorium upgrades
• PS 132 – $1,000,000 for kitchen upgrades
• PS 156 – $450,000 for tech upgrades
• PS 195 – $1,300,000 for playground renovations, sound system upgrades & improved gym lighting
• PS 251 – $290,000 for tech upgrades
• PS 52 – $160,000 for tech upgrades
• PS/IS 270 – $650,000 for tech upgrades
• Queens United Middle School – $500,000 for a media center
• Springfield Educational Campus – $485,000 for a new sound & projection system
• Total: $7,235,000

Rockaway Schools Funded:

·         Academy of Medical Technology – $250,000 for laptops in the learning center

·         Bethel Mission Loving Day Care Center – $80,000 for Smart Boards

·         Beach Channel High School – $2,500,000 for weight room and cafeteria A/Cs

·         Challenge Preparatory Academy – $500,000 for tech upgrades

·         Far Rockaway Educational Campus – $2,650,000 for wood/robotics shop & complete library upgrades

·         Frederick Douglas Academy – $250,000 for tech upgrades

·         Peninsula Preparatory Academy – $250,000 for tech upgrades

·         PS 104 – $1,500,000 for tech and park upgrades

·         PS 105 – $250,000 for tech upgrades

·         PS 183 – $1,650,000 for tech and park upgrades

·         PS 197 – $255,000 for tech upgrades

·         PS 253 – $225,000 for tech upgrades

·         PS 256 – $250,000 for tech upgrades

·         PS 42 – $260,000 for tech upgrades

·         PS 43 – $250,000 for tech upgrades

·         PS/MS 43 – $500,000 for tech upgrades

·         Village Academy – $2,900,000 for a greenhouse & tech upgrades

·         Total: $14,520,000

District 31 Total: $21,755,000. Press Release.