Mamaroneck REVIEW THE
March 8, 2019 | Vol. 7, Number 10 | www.mamaroneckreview.com
Summer sounds Caramoor presents a variety of top-notch music this summer, ranging from orchestral and chamber masterpieces to jazz, roots and world music. For more, see page 6.
Shaps presents school budget, 0.7% tax rate increase Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Shaps rolled out details of his recommended budget for the 2019-2020 school year at the Feb. 26 Board of Education meeting, calling it an articulation of the education plan for the next school year. The plan reflects a 0.9 percent tax levy increase—falling under the state’s allowable tax levy increase—and a 0.7 percent budget-to-budget increase over the current year. “Despite the challenges of educating significantly more students due to continued enrollment growth, we are proud to be able to present a budget that is fiscally sound and mindful of our taxpayers, yet provides for innovation and continuous improvement of our educational offerings,” Shaps said. The recommended budget adds staff to accommodate anticipated enrollment increases at the middle school and high school and
address state-mandated compliance issues. Additionally, the 2019-2020 educational plan allows for expansion of the Dos Caminos Dual Language program to Hommocks, enabling current students in the K-5 program based out of the Mamaroneck Avenue School to continue their dual language experience into middle school. The Dos Caminos expansion will not require additional staffing and is in effect budget neutral. “As always, we will continue our longstanding emphasis on the social-emotional well being of students and our aggressive work to promote equity of opportunity across the District,” Shaps said. The budget applies savings in the areas of employee pension contributions and employee health insurance expenses and translates into an estimated 0.7 percent tax rate increase over the current year’s budget. (Submitted)
To meet school district goals, the budget includes a range of enhancements • H ands-on curriculum resources and professional development to align science curriculum at all levels with New York State Science Learning Standards, including new Science 21 curriculum at Grade 3
Westchester DSS issues all SNAP benefits on March 1 On Jan. 17, at the request of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, recurring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, benefits for the month of February were issued early, in light of the federal government shutdown. This caused concern that the extended length of time between Jan. 17, and the regular issuance date for March SNAP benefits, would cause a financial hardship on families. To alleviate this hardship, the Westchester County
Department of Social Services, DSS, is issuing all SNAP benefits to participants for the month of March, on March 1. Normally, SNAP benefits are issued at any point over the first nine calendar days of each month. “SNAP benefits are essential to supplementing the many services we provide to children, families and other adults in our community,” said Kevin McGuire, commissioner of the county Department of Social Services. “We are pleased to
partner with New York State to provide the March benefits early this month. Everyone needs to eat and adjusting the SNAP issuance schedule assures that people can put food on the table for themselves and their families every day this month.” The compressed SNAP schedule does not affect the Temporary Assistance benefits issuance schedule, which will be issued at their normal time. The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, OTDA, has developed a
Public Notice Poster to inform SNAP households that all recurring SNAP benefits for March will be made available on March 1. The Public Notice Poster will be displayed in both English and Spanish at DSS District Offices across Westchester County. SNAP recipients are welcome to visit any of county DSS District Office for assistance. They can also call the Westchester County Case Management Information Center at 9953333. (Submitted)
• P ilot of new units in elementary math curricula aligned to New York State Common Core Learning Standards for Mathematics • L aunch of districtwide sustainability initiatives in partnership with families and community-based organizations • C ontinued professional development and curriculum resources to promote culturally responsive and sustaining education and the teaching of «Hard History,” as well as partnerships with local, regional and national organizations to do the important work of building racial literacy • F ull integration of the teaching of digital skills and citizenship with the literacy curriculum