Fully Restore Funding to the Port Chester Schools

We need your help. Again.

In the proposed Governor's Budget for 2016-17, the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District has been shortchanged - again.  We will have been underfunded by $145,452,292 since 2006, despite a student population that has grown by 619 students.

We have cut programs and staff and have done our best to work together as a community to meet the needs of our children. Pension costs have increased. Health care costs have increased. Capital needs are more urgent.

What’s more, our Board of Education will work under a zero % property tax levy cap in developing next year’s budget, which will impact programming again.

Foundation Aid was enacted to ensure all children receive their constitutionally guaranteed right to a sound a basic education regardless of their zip code.  Port Chester is a “high needs” district that can little afford to lose aid upon which we rely to provide the extra services our students require.

Foundation Aid has been frozen since 2008, denying us proper state support. The Gap Elimination Adjustment, a reduction in aid that occurred six years ago when the State was in fiscal crisis, has not been fully restored, as was promised. And yet our district is asked to do more each year.

Our kids are treated unfairly and it simply isn't right. They are being played as pawns in a State political battle.

We appreciate the efforts of our Assembly Member, Steven Otis, and our Senator, George Latimer. They have both worked with us the last three years to improve our situation. But we need your help once more.

If we cannot gain meaningful mandate relief from the State; if we are to labor under a zero % property tax levy cap with no adjustments for increases in enrollment, special needs students or English Language Learner needs, then we must have robust help from the State: fully restore the GEA and make a significant increase in Foundation Aid.

We will remember those who stood beside us in these difficult hours. And we will remember those who turned a blind eye to our needs when we needed them most.