The Impact of State Budget Cuts
"It is unconscionable for those in power to balance the budget on the backs of our students."

(March 4, 2010) At press conferences at City Hall and Lincoln High School, Mayor Philip Amicone, Superintendent Bernard Pierorazio and Board of Education President Bernadette Dunne joined city officials, educators, students, families and community members to speak with one voice in opposition to the proposed cuts in state aid to education.

The press conferences were among more than a dozen held across the state Thursday to denounce the Executive budget proposal which cuts $1.4billion in state aid to education.

Superintendent Pierorazio's Statement

“Closing a school when enrollment is increasing is not typical. But it may very well be necessary. Eliminating a capstone academic program that has proved itself to increase student achievement is not wise. But it may very well be necessary. Terminating the employment of hundreds of educators and support staff is unthinkable. But, unless there is a significant change in the way the education of Yonkers children is funded, it is our future.

Furthermore, it is unconscionable for the mistakes and miscalculations of adults to be balanced on the backs of our children.

Who will feel the pain? The four-year-old who will not be able to experience prekindergarten next fall; the newest classroom teacher, with least seniority, whose commitment to the noble task of educating our students will end; the student athlete who will see the door of opportunity for an athletic scholarship slam shut in his face; and the civil servant who daily provides for our children’s basic needs who will no longer garner a salary and be able to provide health care for her own family.

If the Executive Budget passes in its present form, 436 employees will join the ranks of the unemployed…over 1,600 four-year-olds will not have the opportunity to enter school... transportation subsidies for our neediest families will disappear and parents will now be responsible for transporting their children within a two mile radius, an extreme hardship for many families.

We cannot allow this to happen, we cannot accept these draconian cuts to education and we cannot cut the promise of tomorrow. Therefore, we are calling upon our representatives in Albany to flatly reject the Governor’s budget until all cuts to education are restored and public education in Yonkers is properly funded.”

Board President Dunne's Statement

“As policy makers, Board members review State mandates, analyze data, conduct audits and consult with superintendents developing local polices with the premise that State funding, at the very least, will remain constant from year to year. With escalating unfunded State mandates and increases in quasi-state agencies we are forced to reduce programs and staff, sacrificing our children’s education. Our future is in the hands of these children, we and the State of New York are obligated to provide them an educational foundation.

Unlike commercial businesses we can not close our doors on 25,000 students if our revenues fall below our expenses. In constructing next year’s school budget, the loss of revenue ($22.3 M) and the expected increase in costs, including retirement and health care ($12.9 M) as well as our contractual obligations ($16.7M), the Yonkers Public School District is looking at a deficit of $48.6 million. How do we bridge this cavernous gap without halting our students’ progress and decimating the ranks of our 4000 employees? With great pain, by eliminating or drastically reducing non-mandated programs that have a proven long term record for improving student achievement. This is an unacceptable scenario. We join the voices calling upon our representatives in Albany to flatly reject the Governor’s budget until all cuts to education are restored and public education in Yonkers is properly funded.”