With a boom in construction and an estimated 26 new building projects by 2019, it is predicted that approximately 1,026 elementary school children will be without a school seat according to a report by New York State Sen. Thomas K. Duane and Manhattan Community Board Four.
The report predicts about 11,259 new residential units in the Hell’s Kitchen area—increasing the population of elementary school children by 1,350 students.
Currently the local elementary schools P.S.111 and P.S. 51 have just under 150 seats left for students, with P.S. 51 planning to add an additional 324 seats for both elementary and middle school students.
Sen. Duane along with community leaders and other elected officials expressed their concern that these seats will simply not be enough.
“We need a plan. We are ready, willing, and able to work with the Department of Education,” said Sen. Duane.
“Everyone is calling for new schools,” he said.
Providing school space for children of residents moving into the area is essential according to Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer.
“If local residents know there aren’t enough seats in schools, they will take their tax dollars out of the city. They’ll leave so fast we won’t even know they were here.”
“The Department of Education must recognize this growing neighborhood and must plan accordingly for the increased number of students,” said New York City Speaker Christine Quinn in a press release. “We need to start planning now for the school years to come so we can be prepared for those seats that will be needed.”
“The City must work in concert with the community and its elected officials to ensure that there will be enough space for local children. … A future of severely overcrowded local schools is not an acceptable future for our communities,” stated Stringer in a press release.
