Agenda March 21, 2018

1.1.1

Draft Resolution: NYS Executive Budget Shifts Costs to Local Taxpayer

Whereas the 2018-19 Executive budget proposes a reduction in state reimbursement for mandated summer special education programs from the current 80% reimbursement to a wealth adjusted reimbursement rate; and

Whereas under this proposal two-thirds of the districts in Westchester and Putnam Counties would only be eligible to receive the minimum proposed state reimbursement of 25% for summer special education, yet the Chappaqua Central School District's proposed state reimbursement is currently 25%; and

Whereas the Executive Budget further proposes a 2% expenditure reimbursement cap on annual increases in transportation, BOCES, and building aid effective 2019-20; and

Whereas the Governor asserts that state funds from the 2% expenditure reimbursement cap on annual increases in transportation, BOCES, and building aid would go to foundation aid for high need districts, the Executive Budget does not contain any language in that regard; and

Whereas the proposed 2% cap on transportation reimbursement aid disregards normal variability due to: school bus purchases; fuel and labor cost increases; changes in the number of students requiring NYS mandated special education transportation in a 50 mile radius; fluctuations in the number of private and parochial students transported within a 15 mile radius; changes in the number of homeless or foster children requiring transportation under federal law; successful interscholastic teams whose expanded season increases bus costs; and

Whereas the proposed 2% cap on annual increases in BOCES reimbursement aid would be a disincentive to use BOCES for shared services, professional development, and student programs such as career-technical education, special education or alternative high school, etc.; and

Whereas, the proposed statewide 2% building aid cap is based on the overall state increase in building aid and not determined on an individual district basis, and any cut would proportionally affect all school districts receiving building aid, creating uncertainly regarding a district's ability to plan for proposed projects and fund those already in progress. Any cut in building aid could result in higher property taxes or a reduction in other programs or staffing; and

Whereas 80% of the districts in Westchester and Putnam Counties would only receive the 2018-19 proposed 0.25% minimum increase in Foundation Aid, [including the Chappaqua Central School District,] irrespective of increases to NYS employer pension costs, rising healthcare premiums in NYS, and contractual salary increases that affect every school district in the state; and

Whereas the Executive Budget proposes to maintain veto power over school district budgets for Big Five City school districts and certain other large districts based on their school-level funding plan, which disregards local control of school districts across NY State; and

Whereas, NY State property taxes and taxes in our region in particular are the highest nationally, and any further revenue shift from the state to the local taxpayer could result in increased property taxes; and

Whereas these reductions in state aid could lead to program or staff cuts in order to stay under the maximum allowable tax levy limit; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that:

The Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District calls upon the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate to rebuke Executive Budget proposals that shift costs to the local taxpayer; and

RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District opposes any caps on state reimbursement for expense based aids; and

RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District deems that these line item limitations compromise a local school district's decision-making and flexibility; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District calls upon the Governor, NYS Assembly and NYS Senate to appropriately fund public school districts, and stop diverting much needed state funds, so that we can address the ever increasing needs of the children we serve.

The Board of Education directs the District Clerk to send a copy of this resolution to the following people:

(Email information posted on WPSBA website under tab for Legislative Issues / Government Officials)

• David Buchwald, New York State Assembly Member
• Terrence Murphy, New York State Senator
• Andrew Cuomo, the Governor of the State of New York
• Carl Heastie, the Speaker of the New York State Assembly
• John Flanagan, the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate
• Catherine Nolan, State Assemblywoman, Chair, Committee on Education
• Carl L Marcellino, State Senate, Chair, Committee on Education
• Judith Johnson, NYS Board of Regents
• Betty Rosa, Chancellor, NYS Board of Regents
• MaryEllen Elia, NYS Commissioner of Education
• Lisa Davis, Executive Director, Westchester Putnam School Boards Association

1.1.1

DRAFT RESOLUTION:

Whereas, the safety of all children in our schools is of paramount importance; and

Whereas the proposed 5% reduction to the current Federal education budget would include $425 million in cuts to mental health and school safety programs, such as the School Emergency Response to Violence Program and Project Prevention Grants; and

Whereas seventeen students and staff members were killed and many others were injured as a result of a school shooting in Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018; and

Whereas in the past five years, 439 students and staff members have been shot in more than 239 school shootings across our Country; and

Whereas a need for greater access to mental health services for students and families in our schools and communities was ranked as a top funding priority by the majority of Superintendents in New York State; and

Whereas we believe that every child has the right to a safe school environment that has an appropriate level of security as determined by our community; and

Whereas a reasoned and rational approach to gun control and increased access to mental health services for students and families in our schools and communities are essential elements of a safe school environment; and

Whereas the Chappaqua Central School District fosters civic discourse and promotes student understanding of government and current issues; and

Whereas a coordinated effort at the Federal and State levels, boosted by law enforcement and community engagement, is needed to change the paradigm and protect our communities and our schools;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District calls upon the New York State Assembly, the New York State Senate and the Governor to implement a reasoned and rational approach to address gun control and background checks, and prioritize funding and resources for increased access to mental health services for students and families in our schools and communities; and

RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District implores Federal and State leaders to take immediate action to:

• Provide additional funding to schools and communities for adequate mental health, s social, and guidance services and resources for the purpose of prevention, support, and response;
• Provide funds for districts to upgrade their facilities if internal safety audits find there is a need for improvements;
• Provide funding for essential security personnel and related professional development for all staff, as determined by the local school district

RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District affirms students who are exercising their First Amendment rights in speaking out for school safety, support for mental health services, and legislation to address gun violence, need to be heard.

RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District opposes any reductions in federal or state funding for education that would cut mental health or school safety programs; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District calls upon the Governor, NYS Assembly and NYS Senate to address gun violence and provide support for local school districts to promote school safety.

The Board of Education directs the District Clerk to send a copy of this resolution to the following people:

David Buchwald, New York State Assembly Member

Terrence Murphy, New York State Senator

Nita Lowey, US Congresswoman

Senator Charles Schumer, US Senate

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, US Senate

Andrew Cuomo, the Governor of the State of New York

Carl Heastie, the Speaker of the New York State Assembly

John Flanagan, the Majority Leader of the New York State Senate

Catherine Nolan, State Assemblywoman, Chair, Committee on Education

Carl L. Marcellino, State Senate, Chair, Committee on Education

Judith Johnson, NYS Board of Regents

Betty Rosa, Chancellor, NYS Board of Regents

MaryEllen Elia, NYS Commissioner of Education

Lisa Davis, Executive Director, Westchester Putnam School Boards Association

1.2.1

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the revised 2017-18 District Calendar.

1.2.2

Capital Project Proposal: Main Entrance Reconstruction at all six schools.