The New York Times reports today that charter school construction is providing a growing niche for the building and design industries in the New York City area. The article highlights a 54,000-square-foot project for the Mott Haven Academy Charter School in the South Bronx, which will house both classroom space and a community social services center.
Mott Haven reserves two-thirds of its seats for students in foster and preventive care. According to New York Foundling, the non-profit organization that runs the school, the integration of social services in the building "will address the different life circumstances that negatively impact the academic performance of children 'in the system.'" Foundling raised $17 million from private donors to finance the new building.
According to the Times, in the past five years, school building "has exploded" since the School Construction Authority financed roughly $13 billion in projects. In June, an additional $11.3 billion was designated for public school construction. Charter schools received "a relatively small amount of that money"-- $359 million of the previous five-year budget and $210 in the current budget. Of the 22 new school buildings opening this fall, two will house charter schools (Achievement First Endeavor will have its own building, and Brooklyn Prospect Charter School will be located in the brand-new Sunset Park High School building).
Additionally, the Times reported, the city lifted a restriction on charter school construction financing to allow charters to apply for a $3.8 billion pool of state money for school construction if they build in neighborhoods that need more schools due to population growth.
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