ACROSS THE BOARD
April 2017

WPSBA Annual Legislative Forum (March 2017)

Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (left) and Senator George Latimer (center) with school board members and superintendents, as they listen to the various presentations during WPSBA Annual Legislative Forum.

 
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Caught in "The Funny Numbers" Squeeze!
 
On March 9, 2017 WestPut hosted its annual Legislative Forum, which is alw ays a great opportunity to be among colleagues who share a vision about the mission and value of a strong Public Education system. It is also, however, an occasion to commiserate about the sense of frustration that we are experiencing of being caught in an insufferable "Squeeze". We learned that our aid is based upon what I call "funny numbers": a Regional Cost Index (RCI) that is out-dated (2006) and one-size-fits-all poverty estimates from 2010. Imagine the State allowing you to pay taxes based upon your salary from a decade ago!
We discussed why our counties should be in the Long Island and NYC Regional Cost Group and learned about the new ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) report published by the United Way, which uses a more realistic cost of living and factors in regional expenditure costs.
We are in fact, too keenly aware of all the challenges we face in fulfilling our part of the promise of a Sound Basic Education for ALL. While we are increasingly aligned with State Legislators in this region to this mission, the unrealities that we confront are literally and figuratively threatening our very Foundation.
Thank you to all who continue to help us fight the good fight by attending legislative meetings, passing resolutions, and speaking out on behalf of Public Education.

REGIONAL COST FACTORS

The February 2017 "NYS Comptroller's Special Report: Education in New York" highlights the impact of regional cost variations in NY State.  This chart shows that when per pupil spending costs are adjusted using a regional cost index (RCI), per pupil spending downstate (our region) falls in line with the rest of the state.
Have Your Voices Heard
TOGETHER, WPSBA districts are standing up for public education and the students we serve!
 
Districts continue to speak out to put the spotlight on educational issues.  Here are the many ways you are having your voices heard:

  • Writing VoterVoice advocacy e-letters - visit the WPSBA WEBSITE
  • Passing resolutions to let your legislators know how you want them to prioritize the issues
  • Meeting with local legislators, facilitated by WPSBA; all invites are sent by email
  • Joining the WPSBA Legislative Advocacy Committee (LAC) - Next meeting is Thursday, June 8.  Let us know if you're interested and we will add you to the list
The following districts have notified us that they have passed resolutions to protect educational funding.  Has yours?
 
Ardsley ... Blind Brook-Rye ... Brewster ... Briarcliff Manor ... Chappaqua ... Croton-Harmon ... Dobbs Ferry ... Elmsford ... Greenburgh ... Hastings-on-Hudson ... Hendrick Hudson ... New Rochelle ... Ossining ... Pelham ... Pleasantville ... Port Chester-Rye ... Putnam Valley ... Valhalla

 
ROUNDTABLE: NEGOTIATIONS & LEGAL ISSUES
(New This Year - Expanded Program)
June 1
8:00am - 12:00pm at WPSBA, Harrison

Join Board Members, Superintendents, and School District Attorneys For a Bite of Breakfast and Discussion
Negotiations:
  • School District Presentations of Recently Negotiated Contracts
  • Issues and Trends 
Current Legal Topics:
  • Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)
  • Student Rights and Privacy
  • Transgender Students
  • Sanctuary Schools
  • Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) - Recent Supreme Court Decision
  • Freedom of Information Law
  • Medicaid Funding - legal and fiscal impact

Please RSVP electronically by Friday May 26th. 

To RSVP, CLICK HERE
MORE SPRING PR OGRAMS
WPSBA ANNUAL DINNER PROGRAM 
May 22
 6:30pm - 9:00pm at Crabtree's Kittle House, Chappaqua
 
District Clerk Luncheon
May 31
12:00pm - 2:00pm at Sam's of Gedney Way, White Plains

Coming soon....FACTS & FIGURE$ 2017
For a full list of upcoming events:
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