Did you know that the Pleasantville Science Olympiad program finished 3rd in New York State last year and despite this strength, the school board rejected the recent funding request to make the program affordable to all students? While other districts in the surrounding areas hire professional coaches and pay for travel expenses, the partially funded program requires all coaches be parent volunteers and pay for many supplies and travel out of their own pockets. For example, current funding will not even cover registration expenses into the competitions, much less equipment and travel. The Pleasantville Science Olympiad team has a proud history of using parent volunteers, which will continue and only requires $21K (~0.003% of the school budget) of the school budget to remain affordable for families.

While it's wonderful that the school district supports sports programs across all age groups (which we whole heartedly support), it is disappointing to see that insufficient funding is provided for the only academic program. This overlooks the critical importance of academic excellence and deprives all students of the opportunity to expand their intellectual horizons.

The Science Olympiad team fosters a profound love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, fields that are increasingly vital in our modern world. It cultivates critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, all of which are essential for our children's futures. Yet, without adequate funding, these young minds are unable to access the high-quality resources and opportunities they deserve to grow and succeed.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students who take part in such activities have been found to perform better academically and are more likely to pursue higher education. Supporting these programs not only benefits individual students but also enhances the school's overall academic environment, which in turn supports the district’s competitive rankings and supports property values. 

We urge our local school board to take decisive action by allocating necessary funds to ensure the sustainability and success of our Science Olympiad team. This action will demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence and provide our children with essential opportunities to excel in the world of science.

Please join us in this important effort and sign this petition to show your support for our local Science Olympiad team. Ensure that our children have access to the resources they need to compete, learn, and grow. Your support is appreciated and crucial in making this change happen.