Boston schools won't be quite so grubby this fall; 200 more kids to get summer jobs

Last-minute "administrative efficiencies" means the city will be able to keep 42 school custodians originally slated for being laid off and offering 200 more summer youth jobs, the mayor's office says in a press release.

The mayor's latest budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 also adds $650,000 to keep four slated-for-closure libraries open through the winter, so that the BPL can work with affected neighborhoods to find new uses for the buildings. The City Council tomorrow is scheduled to discuss ways to find another $1 million to keep them open for the entire year; however, the council cannot actually add money to any department budgets.

Also planned for next year as capital projects: Six new school playgrounds, new labs at the O'Bryant School, renovations for several school media labs and libraries, initial planning for a new East Boston library, 20 new miles of bike lanes and the acquisition of two ladder trucks, three pumpers and a rescue unit for the Fire Department.

The entire press release.