Bayside High School Among 2018 Participatory Budget Winners

BAYSIDE, QUEENS -- Bayside High School students will soon be able to enjoy soundproof music rehearsal rooms, and they have the voters in their city council district to thank for it.

The project was one of three to win the 2018 Participatory Budget vote in Queens District 19 after a record-setting 8,000 members showed up to decide how the New York City Council would spent at least $1 million in their district, City Councilman Paul Vallone announced Tuesday.

“The Bayside High School community is delighted to have our music project selected as a result of the Participatory Budgeting process," said Assistant Principal Jonathan Hirata.

With the most votes of any Council District in Queens - and the second in all of NYC - District 19 residents voted for three capital improvement projects totaling $1,041,000. Among them were Bayside High School's new music rehearsal rooms, a gymnasium renovation for J.H.S. 194 William H Carr and new NYPD security cameras.

"These results once again clearly show that our district has overwhelmingly embraced the success of the participatory budgeting process," Vallone said. "At a time when voter turnout is at a record low, we have created a way to engage our youth and youngest voters as to the power and importance of voting."

Security Cameras were the most popular choice with more than 2,000 votes. The NYPD will receive $141,000 to install four security cameras throughout District 19 over the next eight months, he said.

“NYPD Cameras are a great asset to fighting and deterring crime in our 111th Precinct Community,” said Jack Fried, president of the Precinct 111 Community Council.

Coming in second with just shy of 2,000 votes was Bayside High School's music rehearsal and equipment storage space. The high school will receive $600,000 to revamp building storage areas into soundproofed music performance rooms with extra space for music instruments.

"This contribution to the school will serve our students for many years to come," Hirata said.

In third place with just over 1,900 votes was a gymnasium overhaul for J.H.S. 194 William H. Carr in Clearview. The school will receive $300,000 to repair the walls, replace the basketball hoops and refinish the floor and add safety padding in the gym.

“The gymnasium renovation will be greatly appreciated by all the students, and community-based organizations that share our space,” said Ann Lippert, the school's parent coordinator.

(Lead image: District 19 winners of the 2018 Participatory Budget Cycle pose for a photo with City Councilman Paul Vallone. Photo courtesy of the Office of City Councilman Paul Vallone)