YONKERS, NY — October 5, 2026 — Yonkers Public Schools officials had a simple message for parents—your voices matter. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anibal Soler, Jr. and Board of Education President Dr. Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio invited the Yonkers Council of Parent Teacher Associations (YCPTA) to collaborate on behalf of children.
During the YCPTA meeting in the library at Saunders High School, Board President Del Vecchio outlined the working relationship. She explained that the Superintendent carries out the day-to-day operations of the district, while the Board of Education supplies direction and crafts policy. President Del Vecchio added that parents provide crucial feedback as fierce advocates for their children.
“Your questions are not ignored,” she said. “I share your genuine concern about really doing good things for children.”
Superintendent Soler spoke frankly as he enumerated the many challenges in the year ahead. He encouraged parents to be part of some tough conversations.
“We’re in a period of flux,” said the Superintendent. “Many things are changing, and we need to hear from you.”
School Districts across New York State are reassessing the road to a diploma, as the state will no longer require Regents exams for graduation after next year. As a result, there needs to be a new formula for measuring competency. Report cards and transcripts will evolve beyond numerical grades and test scores. Statewide, discussions and debate are ongoing.
Closer to home, the process of addressing the perennial budget shortfall is underway. The Superintendent estimates this year’s structural budget deficit is approximately $57 million.
“That’s the smallest that it’s been since I’ve been here,” said the Superintendent. “That tells me we are making some adjustments in the district to try to address it, but at the end of the day, we need advocacy. We need people [state lawmakers] to change our funding formula that treats Yonkers like New York City where the cost of living is higher, where it’s more expensive to compete with teacher wages.”
Superintendent Soler identified several components that will have to be evaluated in order to address the budget gap: transportation, early versus late start times, grade configurations, school choice and union contracts.
“Nothing has been decided,” the Superintendent stated. “I’m putting this out there because I need you to know, we will have to have conversations. Your voice is important.”
YCPTA members listened attentively and applauded when the Superintendent talked about the new Yonkers Promise partnership, which creates a direct pathway to college admission with six area colleges and universities. They also cheered the news that Mercy University has committed to meeting the financial need of all Yonkers students.
YCPTA President Joane Lasky said, “We are grateful to Dr. Del Vecchio and Dr. Soler for coming out to speak to our PTA leaders and the YPS families. We look forward to a year of collaboration and working together to build an even stronger network of support for our students.”