Statement by Senator Golden on New School Construction in District 20

New Seats at PS/IS 163 and IS 259 Total More Than 1,000

Brooklyn – State Senator Marty Golden today issued the following statement in response to Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein’s announcement regarding new school construction that has been completed and will open in time for the new 2010-2011 school year:

“The new school year hasn’t even started yet and we are off to a great start. District 20 is among the many school districts in New York City to have benefited from the efforts of Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein to see that this year, more than 17,000 new seats have been added citywide, as a result of the $13.1 billion capital program approved in 2006.

I am pleased to have played a leading role in dedicating significant New York State financial resources towards capital improvements for New York City public schools. This year, we will see more than 1,000 new seats in District 20, with 433 new seats opening at IS 259 and 665 new seats at PS/IS 163.

Both schools were operating over capacity, with no space left at all for teaching or instruction, so obviously, new classroom space is the answer. I have always said, our children should not have to learn in a crowded classroom, and it is my hope that overcrowding at these two fine schools is now a thing of the past.”