What schools won needed upgrades?
NYC Council Member Lincoln Restler’s office has announced winners for District 33’s 2024 Participatory Budgeting (PB) projects. Two North Brooklyn schools were among the winners of this district’s victors. John Ericsson Middle School 126’s auditorium will be renovated and the gym and cafeteria will receive upgrades at P.S./I.S. 157 The Benjamin Franklin Magnet School for Civic Leadership.
This year, District 33’s PB focused on six of the highest-need schools in the area. The community came together so parents, teachers, and students could help identify projects that would make the biggest impact in their schools.
The auditorium renovation at John Ericsson Middle School 126 will receive $750,000 to replace broken seats and cracked floors and add new technology. The auditorium is used for graduations and meetings for the school, neighborhood, and nearby elementary schools.
The gym and cafeteria upgrade at P.S./I.S. 157 will receive $350,000 towards air conditioning which will create a healthier environment for lunch, physical education, and school assemblies.
“Participatory budgeting is a great way for Brooklynites to have a say in how we invest in our communities,” said Restler. “This year, our office prioritized projects at our district’s highest needs schools. This is part of our broader goal to improve the education outcomes at the schools in our community with the greatest concentration of poverty.”
Of the six focus schools, those that didn’t win will still receive capital funding and will continue to be a priority for NYC Council Member Restler’s office.
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