The Ossining School District to Participate in Rally and March for Funding Equity

On Oct. 4, Ossining school officials, families and community members are joining the Peekskill School District, the Alliance for Quality Education and partners throughout New York to rally and march for school funding equity.

Following a court ruling 10 years ago, state officials were supposed to boost school funding statewide to ensure that all children are receiving a "sound basic education." But the state has never fully funded its promise to greatly increase classroom aid and prioritize high-need districts.

Due to the state's frozen Foundation Aid formula, the Ossining district has received about $14 million less than it is due. At the same time, enrollment is up 19.5 percent, there is a 42 percent increase in students living in poverty and a 56 percent increase in students eligible for free and reduced-price lunches.

The activists marching from New York City to Albany will arrive in Ossining on Oct. 4. The rally begins at 9 a.m. on the Ossining High School Quad. Walkers will leave for Peekskill at 10 a.m.

Below are a letter from Ossining Schools Superintendent Raymond Sanchez and a flier about the event.