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Queens schools and principals press borough for playgrounds, STEM labs, tech upgrades and bathroom repairs
Summary
Principals and students at the Queensborough FY26 preliminary budget hearing sought funding for classroom technology, a music instruction space, playground resurfacing, a STEM lab and campus bathroom renovations.
School leaders and principals presented specific capital and discretionary requests at the FY26 borough budget hearing.
Althea Johnson, principal of Lighthouse Elementary, requested a $160,000 technology grant for mobile smart boards and laptops, saying not all classrooms have functioning smart boards and many students lack devices at home.
Matthew Braunstein (principal at PS 290) requested $50,000 to renovate two underused fifth‑floor locker rooms into a music/instrument instruction space for the shared campus. Brownstein said the renovation plans are coordinated with the School Construction Authority.
Principal Jamelle Johnson of PS 136 (Roy Wilkins School) requested $1,500,000 to overhaul a concrete schoolyard with safer surfacing and more play options, and $257,000 to outfit a STEM learning lab (3D printers, robotics, software). Borough President Donovan Richards committed to funding the playground during the hearing, pending School Construction Authority coordination.
Veritas Academy students and staff presented a short video and asked for renovation of campus bathrooms; school leaders estimated a campus‑wide bathroom modernization at about $4,400,000 to address fixtures, privacy and water access across roughly 35 bathrooms on campus.
Speakers asked the borough to coordinate with the DOE and School Construction Authority on schedules and bids. Several presenters said they will submit formal written applications to the borough budget portal and follow up with staff.
