By Bill Parry
Relief has come for one school in District 30, one of most overcrowded in the city.
Elected officials joined educators and students of IS 230 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a new middle school annex, at 74th Street and 34th Avenue, that contains science labs, an art studio, a library with computers, classrooms, a cafeteria and bathrooms on every floor.
“This new annex will help alleviate overcrowding at the main IS 230 middle school building,” City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights said. “These rooms are essential to a well-rounded education. It will go a long way to improving education in our district.”
The School Construction Authority also bought two lots on 74th Street that will be utilized as an outdoor play and exercise area. In addition to other amenities, the SCA made sure the new building fit in with the aesthetic of the surrounding historic district.
“The new IS 230 annex is not just about giving students a new state-of-the-art building, it’s about creating an environment that fosters learning and gives every child that walks through these doors and opportunity for endless growth,” SCA President and CEO Lorraine Grillo said. “We have created a new outlet for students to pursue their dreams in wonderful Jackson Heights.”
Construction on the new annex took two years and cost $22.8 million. It will add 400 seats for the students at IS 230.
“Over the years, there have been some creative approaches to dealing with the overcrowding crisis in this district,” state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) said. “But the bottom line is until there’s a seat for every child, it’s a game of musical chairs. “No matter what you do, or how you zone or rezone, someone is left standing. This community desperately needs this annex. And this community desperately needs more annexes and more new schools. We are enormously appreciative of the commitment of the mayor, schools chancellor and School Construction Authority to ending this decades-long overcrowding crisis in this part of Queens.”
State Assemblyman Michael Den Dekker (D-East Elmhurst) took the opportunity to push for legislation. “I hope also that voters will vote in favor of the Smart Schools Bond Act in November, so we can get more school space, and equip all of these classrooms with state-of-the-art technology. Our children deserve better than overcrowded classes and we will keep working to eliminate this problem.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
