Congratulations! All Westchester and Putnam School District budgets passed with an average approval rating of 69.8% (high of 83.2% and low of 53.8%), the highest show of community support in many years.  We appreciate that it was challenging to again craft a budget and levy limit in the 2% range given the lack of mandate relief, and will continue to work with you and advocate at the state level.To view WPSBA's spreadsheet of our region's pass rates, click here

HOT TOPICS:
TAKE ACTION - SUBMIT RESOLUTION TO MANDATE RELIEF COUNCIL!
WPSBA issues 2012 Legislative Priorities and drafts Mandate Relief Resolution for school districts to submit to NYS Mandate Relief Council. WPSBA encourages every district to pass resolutions on 3 onerous mandates for the Council to consider.
SEE School District Listing of Resolutions Submitted to Mandate Council.

A Very Pricey Pineapple, NY Times, Gail Collins, Opinions (4/29/12) Did that headline hook you? Who can turn away from a lovely pineapple? (Now let’s tackle the topic of privatization of public education.)

WPSBA Journal News Community View: Local school boards stay obligated to community, Journal News (4/22/12) "It is not so much that the players on boards of education have changed, but rather that the times have changed, and local school board members have responded to the needs of their community… School boards must continue to be financially responsive to their communities, but without immediate mandate relief from Albany on critical cost drivers, budget cuts will lead to a degradation in the quality of education provided to students."

Even Without New Contracts, Many Public Employees Get Raises, by Danny Hakim, NY Times (4/10/12)
"Some officials are seeking the repeal of a New York State law that allows workers to continue receiving salary increaes even if negotiations stall."

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