Hohen Neuendorf: Monthly Review – Security, Education, and Finance in Focus

Security, Education, and Budget – February in Hohen Neuendorf

What was important this month

• Disaster Protection in the City Districts: The establishment of disaster protection information points in Borgsdorf and Stolpe was decided with modifications. The city is investing 50,000 euros, with an additional 130,000 euros in funding from the district.
• Continuation of the Communal Ownership of Dr. Hugo Rosenthal Secondary School: Despite opposition from the Social Committee, the decision to maintain the school’s communal ownership was confirmed by a majority in the Finance Committee and the Main Committee.
• Subsidized Loan of 7.5 Million Euros: The loan was recommended by a majority in the Main Committee and is set to be approved in the City Council.
• Priority List for Road Renewals: A request for a priority list to ensure planning certainty for the period 2027–2031 was passed in the City Council with 23 yes votes.
• Rejection of Exhibition and De-Sealing Requests: The AfD faction lost two of its proposals, including the exhibition of the biographical traveling exhibition "Margarete Buber-Neumann" and a request to de-seal public areas.

Disaster Protection: Security Becomes Concrete

A motion to establish disaster protection information points in the city districts of Borgsdorf and Stolpe was adopted in the Main Committee. Hohen Neuendorf is investing 50,000 euros, with an additional 130,000 euros in funding provided by the district, bringing the total to 180,000 euros. The city administration will now assess specific locations for the information points and whether volunteer helpers can be recruited. The Social Committee will report on progress until the summer break.

The proposers emphasized that such information points can play a central role during crises by informing the public and providing coordinated support. The Social Committee will also examine whether and what further measures in disaster protection would make sense.

Education Policy: School Development and Budgetary Expenditure

The Dr. Hugo Rosenthal Secondary School will remain under communal ownership. Although the Social Committee did not recommend the decision with 2 yes votes, 4 no votes, and 4 abstentions, it was unanimously approved in the Finance Committee and passed in the Main Committee with 8 yes votes, 2 no votes, and 1 abstention. The school administration expressed concerns about the effects of renewed discussions on the school’s ownership on the parent and student representative bodies.

A subsidized loan of 7.5 million euros was recommended to finance investments in the school. This includes ceiling renovation work (1.4 million euros) and school catering by a caterer (nearly 36,000 euros). The loan is set to be considered by the City Council.

Budget and Infrastructure: Priorities for Road Renewals

The City Council passed a motion to create a priority list for road construction projects for the period 2027–2031. The city administration has six months to prepare the list and submit it to the standing committees. This is intended to provide planning certainty and clearly define priorities for road repairs.

Another motion regarding the naming of streets and squares was unanimously approved. This could lead to a more uniform and transparent naming system, particularly for new housing developments or renaming initiatives.

Overview: Citizen Participation and Political Tensions

Political discussions in Hohen Neuendorf in February were both constructive and controversial. While disaster protection, education, and the budget were topics that received broad support, other motions—particularly from the AfD—were unsuccessful. The rejection of the motion for the traveling exhibition "Margarete Buber-Neumann" and the motion to de-seal public areas show that political opinion formation and debates remain central.

The City Council demonstrated transparency: The session was live-streamed and recorded, and the voting results are fully documented. This strengthens the trust between politics and citizens.

Outlook: Security, Education, and Planning Certainty

Further decisions are scheduled for March 2026. The Social Committee will report on progress in disaster protection, and the City Council will vote on the subsidized loan. In addition, a survey to evaluate youth work is underway, with results to be presented in June.

Hohen Neuendorf continues to move toward greater security, educational stability, and planning clarity—issues of central importance to its citizens.