Rep. Gillen Announces $850,000 in New Federal Funding for Valley Stream South High School to Combat Creek Erosion; Tours Site with School Leaders

VALLEY STREAM, NY - Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) joined Valley Stream school leaders and staff to tour Valley Stream South High School and highlight $850,000 in new federal Community Project Funding (CPF) she secured through the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process. The new funding will help protect key areas of the campus from worsening stream bank erosion, including the track and football field, north parking lot and storage buildings.

"In partnership with school leaders, I am proud to have secured nearly $1 million in new federal funding to help address serious erosion concerns along Valley Stream Creek behind Valley Stream South High School," said Rep. Gillen. "This investment will strengthen the stream bank, protect school property, and ensure students and families can continue to learn and gather in a safe and secure environment. I was proud to fight for and secure this funding and I look forward to seeing these critical repairs move forward."

"On behalf of the Valley Stream Central High School District, I would like to extend a sincere thank you to Congresswoman Laura Gillen for her work in securing $850,000 in federal funds to help repair the stream bank along the northern border of Valley Stream South High School," said Dr. Wayne Loper, Superintendent of Schools at Valley Stream Central High School District. "Years of storms, including Superstorm Sandy, have slowly eroded the bank that abuts South's property, causing occasional flooding during high tide events. Thanks to her efforts in delivering this funding for this vital repair project, the funds our District had set aside for this project can now go directly toward student impact-whether classroom resources, programs, capital improvements, or academic support. We are deeply grateful for Congresswoman Gillen's continued advocacy for our schools and our community."

This federal investment will support critical stabilization and repair efforts along Valley Stream Creek, which has experienced increasing erosion pressures that threaten school grounds and surrounding community infrastructure. The project is designed to improve safety, protect public property, and enhance the environmental health of the watershed for years to come. This project received calls for support from a bipartisan group of leaders, including Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, and the Valley Stream School Board.

The funding for Valley Stream is part of more than $13 million in Community Project Funding that Rep. Gillen secured for Nassau County to invest in community infrastructure, enhance public safety, and improve the quality of life for residents across the district. Last year, at Valley Stream Elementary Forest Road School, Rep. Gillen announced the introduction of her Bipartisan Feed Hungry Kids Act, which would ensure that schools serving high numbers of underserved students remain eligible to offer no-cost breakfast and lunch for students.

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