New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday that 64,550 classrooms in NYC public schools have been inspected for ventilation issues and 96% have passed.
Ventilation inspections are completed in all 1,485 public school buildings, according to the mayor.
“Work will continue on the classrooms that need a little more to be done before school opens,” said de Blasio at his news conference. “There is time, obviously, to make the improvements.”
New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza said a total of 10 buildings need repairs across the board. The city is working to get them “up to par” before the start of school on Sept. 21. Staff at those buildings will be temporarily working from home, said Carranza.
“Any repairs that aren’t complete by the first day of full time teaching and learning with not be used. It’s a simple as that," he said.
The “Learning Bridges” free childcare program announced by the mayor earlier this summer will have access for 30,000 students starting Sept. 21 for children taking part in the hybrid learning program.
The city will prioritize those who have the greatest need for pre-K-8 children.
Seventy percent of families considered high priority will have access by the end of September, according to de Blasio, and 100,000 seats will be available by December.