NEW YORK -- Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron released the following statement after the NYC Department of Education announced plans to add additional seats to the future school at Peck Slip:

Today's Schools Capital Plan includes an important victory for Lower Manhattan: DoE has heeded our call to add 180 new seats to the future school at Peck Slip, bringing the total to 656. DoE deserves credit for being responsive to the needs of our growing, vibrant community.

As DoE continues to look at zoning in Lower Manhattan, a larger Peck Slip school should provide new flexibility and options -- moving us toward a conclusion that works better for all schools, current and future. I look forward to continuing to work with DoE, Speaker Silver, Councilmember Chin, and the community to prevent overcrowding, and ensure an overall schools plan that best serves kids.

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Media Contact: Amy Spitalnick / 212.298.5565