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Council Member Amanda Farias expresses strong support for new primary school in District 18
0:06:36
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Council Member Amanda Farias delivers a speech in strong support of a proposed new primary school in District 18 of the Bronx. She emphasizes the necessity of the project to address overcrowding, comply with state-mandated class size reductions, and provide better educational opportunities for students.
- The new school will create 547 seats for K-5 students, featuring 22 classrooms, special education facilities, and various resource spaces.
- The project is part of community benefits negotiated in recent Metro North plans.
- Farias urges her colleagues to support the project, viewing it as an investment in the future of Bronx students and communities.
Amanda Farias
0:06:36
Yes.
0:06:37
Thank you, chair.
0:06:38
I'm here today to speak in strong support of this proposed new primary school in District 18, a project that is not just important, but absolutely necessary to meet the needs of our students and ensure our city complies with state law.
0:06:50
This is about more than just adding seats.
0:06:52
It's about creating real educational opportunities and giving our children the modern high quality learning environment they need to thrive.
0:06:59
Overcrowding is a serious issue in school district eleven, which serves nearly all of the Northeast Bronx, directly borders my districts and includes a portion of, district eighteen.
0:07:10
Right now, students in this area are in overcrowded classrooms that limit their ability to receive the attention, resources, and support they deserve.
0:07:18
The state mandated class size reductions require the city to meet specific class size limits by 2028.
0:07:24
So without this new school, we likely will not be in compliance with that.
0:07:28
And with the recent Metro North plans where I secured many, community benefits and, negotiations, this was a piece of the puzzle we were working on, a new school for the area, and I'm happy to see us get to a place where the community is receiving one.
0:07:45
This project will create 547 much needed seats for students in grades of k through five, alleviating overcrowding and ensuring students have access to smaller class sizes that improve learning outcomes.
0:07:57
As you'll see, in the in the proposal, the proposed t shaped site is bounded by nine residential properties to the South and West, Zuriga to the North, and Saint Raymond Avenue to the East, with Parker Street to the South and Westchester Square.
0:08:13
The school will feature approximately 22 classrooms for pre k through fifth grade, two special education classrooms, eight district 70 five classrooms, and key resource spaces, including a speech and reading resource room, a music room, an art room, a cafeteria and kitchen, a library, a gymnasium, and both guidance and medical suites.
0:08:39
The site plan also includes an approximately 14,000 square foot at grade play area to ensure students have access to safe and outdoor recreation.
0:08:49
The work we do today will have a lasting impact on future generations of our Bronx Students and so we must prioritize education and make sure every child has access to a safe, supportive, and effective learning environment.
0:09:01
To me, this is a common sense investment, one that ensures compliance with state law, alleviating overcrowding, and most importantly, our kids the best possible start in life.
0:09:10
I urge my colleagues to support this project so we can continue building stronger schools, stronger communities, and a stronger future for the Bronx.
0:09:18
Thank you.