Queens principals and students press for gym, auditorium and tech upgrades in FY27 budget hearing
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Summary
School leaders and student speakers from multiple Queens schools asked the Borough Board for capital funding for gyms, auditoriums, HVAC, playgrounds and classroom technology, citing safety, heat, and testing needs.
Principals and student speakers from dozens of Queens schools used the Borough Board hearing to describe aging school infrastructure and to make specific FY27 capital requests.
At PS 36, students and staff described more than 17 years of deferred upgrades and asked for $350,000 to modernize classroom technology and renovate the cafeteria and auditorium; a student described how failing smart‑board technology and poor auditorium conditions affected classroom instruction and community events. At PS 184 (Flushing Manor), principals and students urged air conditioning for gym and auditorium spaces to prevent unsafe heat during physical education and events. Multiple middle and high schools — including Robert F. Wagner High School and Richmond Hill High School — sought funding for gym floors, padding, HVAC upgrades, auditorium enclosures and conversion of underused spaces into instructional classrooms.
Stephanie Aguel, principal of Robert F. Wagner (SEG 823–891), requested $400,000 for an IP digital surveillance system, $700,000 to repair and pad the gym floor, and $1,000,000 to convert an old photography studio into classroom space. Student speakers at several elementary schools gave short testimony about how poor lighting, tattered curtains, broken sound systems and outdated technology limit arts programming and family access.
School leaders repeatedly tied physical upgrades to equity and student safety: broken gym floors and missing wall padding were framed as safety hazards for PE and after‑school teams; antiquated auditorium seating and ventilation were presented as barriers to community events and inclusive programming. Several principals said SCA or other estimates were in hand and that they would follow up with written requests.
Borough President staff responded that discretionary technology funding would be prioritized where possible and that capital work will be considered as agencies and the Borough delegation finalize FY27 allocations. No formal awards were made at the hearing.
