Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson announced Friday that she is allocating $15.5 million in her capital budget for education, focusing on technology and bridging the Bronx digital divide.
The $15.5 million represents 61% of her $25.2 million capital budget, with the remainder of the funds going toward healthcare, cultural institutions and housing, among an array of Bronx needs.
“Our administration is intentional and purposeful in our commitment to investing in our Bronx scholars,” said Gibson. “We cannot allow decades of disinvestment in our borough’s schools to hinder the academic progress of our Bronx scholars. From iPads and Chromebooks to smart boards and 3D printers and essential infrastructure upgrades, our students need and deserve modern, aesthetically pleasing facilities and technology.”
The digital divide between the Bronx and the other four boroughs is stark. The Bronx has the highest percentage of neighborhoods in the city whose access to broadband internet service is classified as either “Low Connectivity” or “Medium Low Connectivity.” Nearly 90% of the neighborhoods in the Bronx have low or medium low connectivity.
Gibson’s investment in education and technology aims to get students in the Bronx connected. The capital funds will go toward acquiring laptop computers, chromebooks, ipads and smartboards. Funds have also been allocated for STEM labs as well as playground improvements and security system upgrades at various schools.
The issue of connectivity in the Bronx became especially apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when work and school was suddenly moved online. The “digital desert” of the Bronx was viewed as a barrier for students to complete homework assignments. Furthermore, it made it difficult for residents to work from home and access resources like healthcare and financial assistance, according to the Bronx Community Foundation, an organization dedicated to digital equity in the borough. Around 25% of children have trouble finishing homework because of the digital divide, according to the organization.
Gibson described the capital allocation as fulfilling a pledge she made during this year’s State of the Borough Address that said she would work to give Bronx youth with “opportunities to learn and grow.”
“For Fiscal Year 2025, we allocated over $15 million to our schools across the borough because we are committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential,” Gibson said in the press release.
