Press Release Archives - -576-96 Earmarks $70 million for Text Books

Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 8, 1996

Release #576-96

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Nydia Negron - (212) 788-9364

MAYOR GIULIANI PROMISES NEW TEXT BOOKS FOR EVERY NYC PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT BY SEPTEMBER 1997; ADDITIONAL $70 MILLION EARMARKED FOR PURCHASE OF NEW BOOKS

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced that the City will increase the Board of Education's budget (FY97) by $70 million for the sole purpose of acquiring new textbooks for the children in the New York City public school system. The announcement was made at Public School 191 in Manhattan where the Mayor and Chancellor Rudy Crew participated in a read-along with a group of first grade students.

"This additional infusion of $70 million will ensure that our children are given the opportunities to obtain a quality education--with up-to-date text books." said Mayor Giuliani. "They deserve the necessary learning tools to stimulate their young minds. These new books will benefit not only today's youngsters but all the generations to follow as well.

"Chancellor Crew's commitment that this money will be specifically earmarked to purchase new textbooks in time for the start of the 1997 school year demonstrates once again his spirit of collaboration," added Mayor Giuliani. "Chancellor Crew continues to prove his ability to manage the Board of Education and move forward in the right direction to improve the quality of education in our public schools."

Chancellor Crew said, "Our schools require focus and commitment in order to realize their goals. The New York City Public Schools' focus is clear--to achieve the goal of literacy throughout our school system. And the Mayor today is showing his commitment and the commitment of the City of New York to achieving that critical goal."

Currently, the City of New York's budget includes $69 million to purchase textbooks and library books. The allocation of this new money doubles the amount of City funds and ensures the acquisition of, on average, three new books for each of the school system's one million students.