Letters, Petition Necessary to Urge State to Give Additional School Aid to Port Chester-Rye Schools

The Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District is asking for the public’s help in swaying state legislators to free up some aid money.

Dr. Edward. A. Kliszus, the district’s superintendent, said the schools have been underfunded by the state in the amount of $145.5 million over the past eight years.

“During this same period, our enrollment has grown by 619 students,” he said.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s recently announced budget does not provide additional relief for 2016-17, district officials said.

The district’s representatives in Albany—Sen. George Latimer and Assemblyman Steve Otis—are asking residents to sign a petition on behalf of the district and send in letters as they negotiate for more funding.

Aid to schools was frozen in 2009.

As a result, Port Chester schools have had to cut programs and services.

The district has been designated as a “high needs” district, with 72 percent of its students qualifying for free or reduced price lunches and 28 percent requiring English language learner services.

Dr. Kliszus said that signing the petition and writing letters will make a difference.

“Like in the past two years, I encourage all residents of the district to write to their elected representatives and make their voices heard in support of our students,” he said.

The online petition can be found through a link on the district’s home page or at change.org.

Sample letters and contact information for Latimer and Otis can be found here.

Photo credit: Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District website.