By Cynthia Koons
John Bowne High School tops the list of 32 schools near airports in New York and northern New Jersey that will gain anywhere from $20,000 to millions of dollars for replacement windows, doors, ventilation systems and air-conditioning.
“All the schools on the list, the money is allotted by need,” Port Authority spokeswoman Tiffany Townsend said.
Also receiving money in Queens are Beach Channel High School in Rockaway Park ($20,000), PS 146Q in Howard Beach ($20,000), IS 180Q in Rockaway Park ($3.04 million), PS 195Q in Rosedale ($20,000), IS 198Q in Arverne ($4.67 million), St. Pius X School in Rosedale ($20,000), College of Aeronautics in Flushing ($400,000), Lexington School for the Deaf in Jackson Heights ($20,000), Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School in Flushing ($90,000) and St. Michael School in Flushing ($20,000).
She said John Bowne High School was given more than $9 million because of the number of windows that have to be replaced and the extent of renovations that are required.
“New equipment needs to be installed,” the spokeswoman said. Ventilation and air-conditioning systems are included in this sum.
The program was established by the Port Authority in 1983 and has supported 77 schools with $271 million worth of renovations since then. In Queens, schools near LaGuardia and JFK airports are selected for improvements through criteria established by the FAA.
In the latest round of school donations, $45 million was contributed to school soundproofing initiatives.
“We have worked closely with our federal partners over the past 20 years to dramatically reduce the number of classrooms affected by aircraft noise,” Gov. George Pataki said in a statement. “We are proud to provide continued funding to this program in order to include as many schools as possible.”
Eighty percent of the school soundproofing improvements around JFK and LaGuardia airports are funded by the FAA, and 20 percent comes from the Port Authority budget.
“The Port Authority made a commitment to education and created the school soundproofing program to lessen the impact of aircraft noise in our local schools,” Port Authority Chairman Anthony Coscia said. “Today we've expanded that commitment by approving $500,000 more than last year in funding and providing schools throughout the region with the tools they need to better educate young people.”
Reach reporter Cynthia Koons by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 141.
