Middle schoolers are participatory budgeters this year, by Kimberly Gail Price

Participatory Budgeting is a community wide process that allows constituents to suggest, develop and vote on discretionary funds. For the fourth year in a row council member Carlos Menchaca has allocated $2 million for projects in his district, which includes Red Hook, Sunset Park and Windsor Terrace.

Since September, volunteers have been designing and budgeting community ideas. And the time for constituents to vote is almost here! Prior to the voting, a fair will be held to illustrate the projects. Anyone who lives in the district and is 14 years old and up is eligible to vote. In addition to the projects, PB is a good exercise in neighborhood participation. Menchaca expects that future leaders will come out of the process.

Each constituent can vote for up to 3 projects. Voting will take place from March 25 through April 2. Locations, times as well as the location of the fair will be announced once they are confirmed by Julian Morales of Menchaca’s office.

District 38 has prepared 11 projects – two of which are Red Hook specific. Ten of the projects are for local schools, while the eleventh is a park renovation in Sunset Park.

Red Hook Projects

Renovation of P.S. 15’s student and adult bathrooms
Cost: $220,000
Location: P.S. 15 The Patrick F. Daly Magnet School of the Arts, 71 Sullivan Street.

Smart Tech and Technology Upgrades at Summit Academy
Mac Pro (server) – $3,700
Vernier LabQuest 2 Biology Deluxe Packages – $19,737.06
Vernier LabQuest 2 Chemistry Deluxe Packages – $9,836.47
(20) Lenovo ThinkPad L460 – $12,640
(2) Promethean AP4-70E (Interactive LED display) – $9,600
(2) Promethean APTMS (Interactive LED stand) – $1350
(20) Promethean ActivBoard Touch 88-USB Interactive Whiteboard – $30,000
(5) 21.5 in iMac desktop – $5250
(5) HP- 23.8” Touch Screen All In One – Intel Core i3- 8GB Memory – 1 TB Hard Drive Black-White – $3,000
1 Learniture 24 Outlet Extra-Wide Laptop/ Tablet Recharging Cart – $549
Total cost: $120,000Location: Summit Academy,
27 Huntington Street

Other District 38 Projects

Security Cameras for Child Safety at P.S. 1; $400,000
Small and Big School Yard Update & Renovation at P.S. 24; $500,000
Electrical Upgrade and Air Conditioning for Gymnasium at M.S. 821/126; $400,000
Air Conditioning Wiring at P.S. 94; $300,000
Schoolyard Improvement at the P.S. 314 Complex; $700,000
Split Level Air Conditioning in Multi-Purpose Room at P.S. 516; $400,000
Gymnasium Updates & Remodel at M.S 88; $350,000
Auditorium Lighting and Sound Upgrade at J.H.S 220; $500,000
Schoolyard Upgrade at P.S. 69; $500,000
Make Sunset Park Handball Courts Tournament Ready; $500,000