On Monday, August 6th, Borough President James Oddo joined with representatives of the Department of Education at South Richmond High School to announce his funding allocations for air conditioning in several Island schools. The funding is part of over $17,000,000 of taxpayer money BP Oddo allocated to educational projects in Fiscal Year ’19.
 
As part of his capital funding, BP Oddo allocated $80,000 to P.S. 3 and $250,000 to P.S. 52 for air conditioning. He also allocated expense funding to Catholic Charities to fund air conditioning for P.S. 25/South Richmond High School ($6,000) and Tender Care Preschool ($11,000), which are both on the campus of Mount Loretto. This brings the total allocation for air conditioning for FY ’19 to $347,000.
 
“We’ve experienced some recent heat waves, which have highlighted the importance of having our students learn in a cool, comfortable environment. Air conditioning is especially important for students in special needs programs that operate year-round,” said BP Oddo. “Education is, as it should be, the priority of my administration. Every scientific and social advancement stems from a well-educated citizenry, which is why I dedicated such a large percentage of the taxpayer dollars at my disposal to Staten Island schools. I’m pleased to be able to allocate funding to so many school projects this year.”

“Borough President Oddo has been a champion for students on Staten Island, and we are thankful for his continued support,” said Kevin Moran, Executive Director, Staten Island Field Support Center. “Through collaboration with the Borough Student Advisory Committee, BP Oddo has heard the needs of our schools directly from students and is meeting needs with additional resources.”

“I just want to thank Borough President Oddo and the Department of Education for ensuring that our most special kids have a comfortable place to learn during these hot summer months.  It has already been put to great use this year,” said Vincent Ignizio, CEO of Catholic Charities of Staten Island.
 
"Once again, our Borough President Jim Oddo understands the concerns for children with special needs and has responded," said James McKeon, Principal of P.S. 25/South Richmond High School.
 
Funding comes at the request of the principals of each school, so all funding goes towards specific projects the school needs or wants. 

On Wednesday, November 1st, BP Oddo joined with Kevin Moran, Department of Education (DOE) Executive Director of the Staten Island Field Support Center, to announce a new Hall of Science at the Michael J. Petrides campus. The 15,000 square foot space will serve K-12 students from schools across the borough.

BP Oddo allocated $500,000 in capital funding to turn the space, which had previously been used as the DOE archive center, into an immersive STEM learning environment. The facility will include eight science stations with different themes, including an arch bridge, Lite Brite pixy pegs, Bernoulli blower, hyperbolic-funnel, Ferrofluid Magnetoscope, water table, design challenge, and a race track. In addition, the upstairs area will be used as a "Makerspace," where students will learn science, math, and technology through hands-on activities.

"It will be an active science lab that is going to live and breathe. It will draw students from all across Staten Island. It's a great thing," noted BP Oddo.

"This learning environment changes the playing field for us on how kids interface hands-on environments and experiential learning -- where kids are engaged fully in an experience they'll never forget," Moran said.
The project is expected to be completed in spring of 2018.

On Wednesday, June 21st, BP Oddo joined with representatives of the Department of Education, as well as Borough Student Advisory Council (BSAC) student representatives, to announce the allocation of $21,189,000 in capital funding for educational purposes in Fiscal Year 18.

The students—who represented CSI High School for International Studies, Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School, New Dorp High School, Susan Wagner High School and Tottenville High School—were invited back to Borough Hall to see firsthand how their voices can make a difference. At the end of April, these same representatives brought their school’s concerns to the BP in hopes that he would listen and take their ideas into consideration when allocating taxpayer money the following year. BP Oddo did just that, and their proposals represent five of the projects put forward in the allocated budget for educational funding.

The projects that were funded from the BSAC meeting were as follows:

• New Dorp High School - Field Lights - $1,500,000
• CSI High School for International Studies - New Track - $100,000
• Tottenville High School - Track - $250,000
• Susan Wagner High School - Wiring for air conditioning - $600,000
• Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School - Upgrade girls locker room - $250,000

“If you look at any of the challenges we have as a community on Staten Island, across the city, or across the country, the solution and the way to improve those things is investing in young people, making them the best they can be and giving them the tools they need to succeed,” BP Oddo told the students. “Thus, when we have the opportunity to give out taxpayer money to a certain project, we have put an emphasis on educational problems. I hope you, as students, realize you do in fact have a say in what happens in your community.”

“It means so much to know that there are people listening to us. We want to leave a legacy. Knowing that future students are going to enjoy field lights because of this opportunity you gave us is such an amazing feeling,” said a New Dorp High School student.

This year’s funding represents a portion of the $51,928,000 of taxpayer money that BP Oddo has allocated for education since taking office in 2014.

See below for all of this year's educational funding allocations:

On Tuesday, June 20th, BP Oddo joined with representatives of Staten Island University Hospital to unveil five new state-of-the-art ambulances he helped fund. These ambulances function as part of the 911 system, allowing EMTs and Paramedics to respond quickly to dire situations.

The new ambulances run on regular gasoline instead of diesel, which is more environmentally friendly and helps reduce engine noise. The ambulance is equipped with brand new power-load stability, making the job easier for the emergency professionals and giving more comfort to the patients while they are being loaded to the vehicle.

"Last year, Staten Islanders reached out to emergency medical professionals for help 50,000 times,” said BP Oddo, noting that Staten Island is the only borough to hold a ceremony that honors EMS workers. “We want to give these professionals all the tools they need to help, and when we allocate tax dollars, we want it to go to the front line. These ambulances are five concrete examples of accomplishing that."
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Along with BP Oddo, the ambulances were funded by former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, former Borough President James Molinaro and Council Member Debi Rose. The ambulances will officially join the fleet at the end of June.

​On Wednesday, July 13th, Borough President Oddo joined with Council Member Steven Matteo and Borough Parks Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone to announce that the funding for renovations to MacArthur Park at the Berry Houses has been finalized. The $9.3 million dollar project will fix existing drainage issues on the field, add a new synthetic turf to expand the field’s usage and renovate the basketball courts.

During his time as a Council Member, BP Oddo allocated funds to rehabilitate the fields. However, after 9/11, the funding was moved to other projects. After many years, BP Oddo was able to work with Council Member Matteo to cobble together funds from the City and FEMA to make the project a reality.

“‘The Berry’s’ are an institution in this borough and generations of Islanders have played there,” noted BP Oddo. “These upgrades have been long overdue, and we are excited to share this news. When this project is complete, scores of our fellow residents will create new memories, learn more life lessons, exercise and enjoy themselves at a new and improved Berry’s.”

Construction is expected to begin in 2018.