4201 Schools Association Co-Chair Dr. Bernadette Kappen said, “We are grateful for the Senate and Assembly’s advocacy of our schools and for their proposed increase in funding, which is essential to continue meeting the diverse needs of our blind, deaf, and physically disabled students. Restoration of the Executive’s cut to our funding is also critical as we work to balance operating budgets year over year, and we thank Education Committee Chairs Senator Mayer and Assemblyman Benedetto for their support in restoring these funds. Additionally, the Senate’s proposals to authorize our schools to maintain a fund balance and invest in our workforce will provide schools the tools needed to continue to plan ahead for fiscal variances, and retain specially qualified teachers and support staff for our students.
We hope the Executive agrees with the decisions of the Senate and Assembly to restore funding and invest in the education of our students. Our children are just as deserving of a high-quality education as every other child, and we look forward to working together with elected leaders throughout budget negotiations to ensure our students continue to have access to the resources they need to thrive and succeed.”
The 4201 Schools Association represents 11 schools located in Erie, Monroe, Westchester, Bronx, Kings, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties. The schools support nearly 1,400 students who are blind, deaf, and severely physically disabled from across New York State, and are nationally recognized for their expertise and achievement. Learn more at www.4201schools.org, and @4201Schools on Twitter and Facebook.
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Click here to view the Association’s Budget Priorities.