Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Superintendent of Schools Aníbal Soler, Jr. says that the city will commit $5.8 million in capital funding over the next three years to air condition all 39 of its public school buildings.
With new legislation pending in Albany that would prohibit children from being kept in classrooms if the air temperature reaches 88 degrees, and schools in many parts of the country being forced to close on some recent days because of excessive heat, there has been a focus on classroom temperatures. Many school buildings do not have central air conditioning either because they were built before it became practical or were built without it as a cost-saving measure.
“Investing in the spaces in which our students learn is equally important as the funding needed to educate them,” said Spano. “For nearly ten years, the City of Yonkers has invested over $300 million in the aging infrastructure of our Yonkers Public Schools in order to provide them (the students) every possible advantage to learn, grow and flourish. With this dedicated capital funding, we are continuing our commitment to improving every aspect our of students’ academic journey. With rising temperatures here and across our nation, this type investment is not a luxury but a necessity for students and staff.”
The average age of Yonkers Public Schools buildings is 75 years with some buildings 100 years old, making them some of the oldest in New York state.
Soler said he is “fully committed to advancing the comprehensive three-year capital plan that addresses the growing need for climate-controlled learning environments. This plan reflects our dedication to providing every student and staff member with the best possible conditions to learn, work, and thrive. By continuing to invest in our facilities, we are preserving our schools history and ensuring everyone has the best possible advantage to succeed.”
