Menchaca announces new Sunset Park school

June 19, 2017 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

City Councilmember Carlos Menchaca speaks to students at one of the school sites he helped to spearhead. Photo courtesy of Carlos Menchaca

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On Thursday, City Councilmember Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park-Red Hook) announced the site of a new elementary school to be built in Sunset Park, to help alleviate overcrowding in schools. This is Menchaca’s fourth new school development project in his district in the past four years.

According to Menchaca, overcrowding in schools decreases the attention that teachers can give each student and reduces available resources, making it difficult for teachers to teach and students to learn. Nearly 20 percent of the 7,326 total new seats added in NYC schools have come from Menchaca’s district, which is more than any other district.

“I’m proud to fight for our students and teachers,” Menchaca said. “Providing the right environment is critical to giving our kids the best education available and in assisting our teachers. This could not have been done without the engagement of parents, community members and neighborhood groups.”

Menchaca thanked Community Board 7, as well as Make Space for Quality Schools, Voces Ciudadanes and Friends of Sunset Park for helping with this project. He also promised to continue working alongside community members because “our work is not yet done.”

The School Construction Authority (SCA) confirms that the school location is set to be purchased at the corner of the 36th Street and Fifth Avenue. The other three schools Menchaca has spearheaded are located at 59th Street‬ and Third Avenue; 46th Street and Eighth Avenue; and 43rd Street and Fourth Avenue.‬

Menchaca represents Brooklyn’s 38th District and Chairs the Council Committee on Immigration.