Concerns Of School Overcrowding Spark Bronx Rally
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Parents in the Bronx joined elected officials for a rally Tuesday to address overcrowding in schools.
The group is demanding the construction of four small schools at the 195th Street buildings next to the Kingsbridge Armory.
The National Guard currently occupies those buildings.
Those who attended the rally say they want the National Guard to immediately move to another site in Wakefield in order for schools to be built.
"If we're going to have a formula for success, we must have more classrooms in our area. The problem is that in the five year capital plan, this area was not included, and yet in this area, this is the fifth most densely populated area in all of New York City and yet, we were not included in the plan. That was a mistake," said City Councilman Fernando Cabrera.
"You know we got millions to put into Yankee Stadium and executive skyboxes, and we can put that money into education too," said Doug Cunningham of the New Way United Methodist Church.
The Department of Education says it has more than 2,000 new school seats planned for the district in the coming years.
DOE officials also say they're willing to consider the 195th Street buildings for classrooms if the National Guard moves out.
The future of the Kingsbridge Armory and surrounding area has been up in the air.
NY1 has reached out to the National Guard for comment.