Senator Montgomery Expresses Support for a new Harbor Middle School in Red Hook

Re: Application No. 20185131 SCK (650-Seat Intermediate School Facility/21-31 and 35 Delevan Street)

As Chair of the Children and Families Committee in the New York State Senate, I have spent much of my time talking about and working on building pipelines for young people into wide ranging career opportunities. The maritime industry in particular, is a source of exciting, impactful and well-paying careers. I am committed to ensuring that all of our children have the opportunity to explore this fascinating career path. Today, I write to express my unwavering support for the creation of a Harbor Middle School in my district in Red Hook.

I have had the privilege of working with Murray Fisher, former President of the New York Harbor Foundation and Urban Assembly New York Harbor School staff to help build a pipeline for Harbor School graduates into SUNY Maritime, one of the premier maritime institutions in the world. From this collaboration, the idea emerged to create a Harbor Middle School in Red Hook or Sunset Park that would expand the Harbor pipeline to students all across Brooklyn.

The Harbor School is the only maritime high school in our city and they are unapologetic in their commitment to diversity and making maritime studies accessible to all students. Its success is evidenced in the kinds of young people they produce. They are highly intelligent, eager and engaged with a sense of service to community and environmental justice. I have met graduates from Central Brooklyn who went on to travel the world operating large vessels and give back to their community. These are the young people who will tackle maritime issues globally including as it relates to climate change.

We have been discussing, convening and reconvening stakeholders and engaging community around the creation of a Harbor Middle School for many years. I am so happy to see this project moving forward for our young people, most of whom have no exposure to these industries and have no idea these opportunities exist. Again, I express my support for this proposal and I look forward to continuing to engage stakeholders as this project progresses.

Sincerely,

State Senator Velmanette Montgomery

25th Senate District