Local Schools Win Big In District 38 Participatory Budgeting

Mary Bakija -
Nine neighborhood schools, including New Voices Middle School (pictured here), will see improved access to technology.

The results are in, and kids are definitely the big winners in this year’s round of participatory budgeting in Councilmember Carlos Menchaca‘s District 38!

According to Menchaca’s office, more than 6,300 people voted in the district this year, the largest turnout of any participating in the process, and nearly two-thirds of those ballots were cast in non-English languages (Spanish or Chinese).

This year, we had 14 projects on the ballot, and the four that received the most votes are all ones that will benefit local students. Here are the winners that will be allotted a total of more than $2 million:

1. Technology for Schools ($965,000) – 3,273 votes
Improving access to technology for nine neighborhood schools that serve diverse communities: PS 1, MS 88, PS 676, PS 105, PS 310, PS 69, and New Voices Middle School.
2. Playground Lighting at PS 503/PS 506 ($400,000) – 3,112 votes
Install proper lighting to illuminate the school yards at 330 59th Street on weekdays and weekends.
3. Expansion of Exit Doors at PS 169 ($75,000) – 3,026 votes
The door expansion on the 44th Street and 7th Avenue entrance will improve safety as students enter and leave the school and improve efficiency in a school with over 1,600 students.
4. Bathroom Renovations at District Schools ($400,000) – 2,838 votes
The full renovation of the early childhood bathrooms at PS 15 (71 Sullivan Street) and full renovations of all student and staff bathrooms at PS 94 (5010 6th Avenue) to maintain hygiene of the schools.
5. Outdoor Fitness Equipment for Sunset Park ($500,000) – 2,773 votes
To have fitness equipment outside of the Sunset Recreational Center to promote fitness and appeal to people of all fitness levels.
6. Red Hook Library Multimedia Room ($50,000) – 1,143 votes
Installing a smart board and projector, computers, surround sound speakers, and audio recording equipment in the Red Hook Library (7 Wolcott Street) to provide more resources for better productivity.

Congrats to all the winners, and we’re looking forward to seeing all of these projects completed!