Winter 2017
Vol. 65 No. 2
NYS Underfunds Suburban Schools
Thanks to a recent study by the United Way, the Westchester suburbs have a new view of just how underreported poverty statistics have been in our region. While Albany bureaucrats continue to whittle away at public education armed with their outdated and unrealistic data, this study proves how difficult it is for many suburban families to make ends meet. The United Way’s ALICE report (Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed) reveals that 44 percent of households in the state of New York — more than one in three households — are “walking a financial tightrope, unable to afford this state’s high cost of living.” “These households struggle to afford even the most basic necessities of housing, child care, food, health care, and transportation,” says the report (available at UnitedWayALICE.org/NewYork), which reveals a far broader and more serious problem than previously thought. In particular, the ALICE report notes that in the counties bordering New York City, an area that includes Westchester County, 8 percent of residents now live below the poverty level, while another 28 percent live below the basic cost of living level for the region. In total, that accounts for 36 percent – more than one-third – of the region’s residents. In our own community of Pleasantville, 18 percent of residents live below the threshold. Yet the state of New York considers our community “low need” when it determines our state aid. The state must update the data it uses to determine a school district’s wealth, and devise a new formula to dictate how Foundation Aid will be distributed. The formula was first put in place in 2007 and relies on poverty data from the outdated 2000 Census. Because property values are so high in Westchester, Putnam and Long Island, our districts are considered wealthy. But for many in this region, as indicated by the ALICE report, nothing could be further from the truth. Receiving less Foundation Aid, and facing yet another near-zero tax cap, will leave suburban school districts with no alternative but to propose budgets that override the cap or drastically cut programs and services. And some districts may have to do both. Your voice matters. You can write to our legislators or send the letter (State Underfunding of Suburban School Districts) located in the Advocacy section of the District website. Together we can make a difference.
Board Meetings through June 2017
Unless otherwise noted, all meetings of the Board of Education begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Pleasantville High School Library Media Center. Reports scheduled are subject to change. Information on the upcoming Board meeting is available at www.pleasantvilleschools.com and 741‑1460. Every meeting provides an opportunity for comments and questions from the audience.
Tuesday, March 14
• 2017-2018 Budget Analysis
Tuesday, March 21 (pending) • 2017-2018 Budget Workshop
Tuesday, March 28
• Winter Athletic Season Recap • Proposed 2017-2018 Budget
Tuesday, April 18
Board votes on adopting proposed 2017-2018 Budget
Tuesday, May 2
Budget Hearing followed by Public Meeting
Tuesday, May 23
• 2016-2017 Board Goals Update
Tuesday, June 6
• 2017-2018 Board Goals
Tuesday, June 20
• Spring Athletic Season Recap
—Angela Vella, Board of Education President Published by the Board of Education, Pleasantville Union Free School District, Pleasantville NY