Get the Facts About the Proposed School District Budget ! Wednesday, June 3, 2020 from 5-6 pm
Posted on: May 29, 2020 - 2:33pm
This email is being sent to the mailing list for informational purposes as it represents an issue of potentially broad interest to the community.
The Hastings PTSA and SEPTA are co-hosting a virtual forum to help people in the community get the facts about the proposed budget.
During this forum, questions from the community will be answered by District Treasurer Maureen Caraballo, Assistant Superintendent Melissa Szymanski, and Superintendent Dr. Valerie Henning-Piedmonte. The only way to get the facts is to go to the source!
All questions must be submitted in advance. The PTSA and SEPTA will forward the questions to administrators in advance of the forum to maximize the amount of information shared out to the community. Submit your questions HERE.
Please note that this vote is more important than previous budget votes. In a typical year, schools districts have two chances to pass a budget. Given the timing forced on districts by COVID-19, it appears that districts will not get a second opportunity to pass the budget. Unless Governor Cuomo or the legislature acts, a failed budget vote would likely force the adoption of a contingency budget (a legal term that requires significant additional cuts from the budget).
In Hastings on Hudson, a contingency budget would require removing an additional $1.3 million from the budget. This would be on top of the $1 million in spending that was cut from the current proposed budget between March and May in response to learning that NYS will cut crucial funding next year.
Please do not miss this opportunity to get the facts and learn about the importance of this particular vote:
Meeting ID: 752 0263 9708
Password: 4MXXc3
Make sure your vote counts: absentee Ballots must be mailed to the school district and RECEIVED no later than 5 pm on June 9. The Board of Education also decided to allow for a drop-box on the day of the vote, which will be located at the main door of the high school.
Please CLICK THROUGH to read an article that explains the importance of the budget vote this year.