PS 26 gets major funds for work

PS 26 in Fresh Meadows will be a lot cooler soon thanks to a $200,000 state allocation.

Members of the PTA and school staff gathered at the school last week for notification of the funding, allocated by state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside). Principal Dina Koski said the school has been seeking money for repairs and electrical upgrades for up to 15 years.

The funding will be used to add air conditioning to the auditorium and provide new seats for the room. If any money is left, it will be used for electrical upgrades in the gym as well.

Koski said the school now has no air conditioning — except for her office — and that it will be a big help in the auditorium where major events are held such as graduation, swearing-in of student government and parents meetings. “We’ve been asking for funding for a long time. This is a nice surprise,” she added.

The school, which was built in 1948, is located at 195-02 69 Ave. and has an enrollment of 653 students. It shares its third floor with PS 224, a special education school.

PS 26 Parent Coordinator Christine Marziliano said the school is "very fortunate" to get the funding and that it will be "a huge improvement."

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