Press Release Issue: Education

For Immediate Release: February 9, 2012

BROOKLYN -- Tonight, State Senator Daniel Squadron released the following statement upon a vote to approve the expansion of P.S. 8 to include a middle school:

Tonight's vote to approve the new P.S. 8 middle school is great news for Brooklyn! By heeding our calls and formalizing the new middle school, DOE is helping to ensure the continued success of P.S. 8 and creating better options for all District 13 students. Now we must work to get the new P.S. 8 middle school ready to go for next school year and continue to work for more options for District 13 students.

The New York State Senate passed a bill that would ban certain criminal offenders from working on school buses (S.6157A). The bill prohibits people who are convicted of offenses, such as sex and drug crimes, from being school bus monitors.

The bill also bans anyone convicted under Leandra’s Law from being a school bus driver for five years after conviction. Leandra’s Law makes it a felony to drive drunk with others in the car who are under 16 years old.

“This is another measure we can take to make sure our children are safer on their way to school and on their way home. Anyone who would jeopardize a child’s safety should not be on a school bus,” said Senator Jack M. Martins, who supported the bill.