Assemblyman David Buchwald Helps Restore Funding to Harrison Schools After “19-Minute” Teacher Evaluation Penalty

Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester) announced that the Harrison Central School District will see its annual base funding fully restored after a technicality threatened to cost the district $46,000 annually.

 
“I am very pleased that we’ve successfully fought to restore rightful funding back to the Harrison Central School District,” Assemblyman Buchwald said. “Making sure our students are provided with all of the resources necessary for a quality education is imperative for our families and our future. The Harrison community has shown great support and patience through this ordeal, and I thank them for their help in this victory.”

The Harrison Central School District submitted their original Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) in a timely manner before the deadline of January 17, 2013. However, the State found issue with the district’s high standard of evaluating its high school principal in relation to the number of students admitted to four-year colleges, and the revised evaluation plan was submitted 19 minutes past the midnight deadline. While the revised plan was eventually accepted by the State, the district was penalized $46,000 in this year’s budget and every year moving forward. Working with the Superintendent and the community, Assemblyman Buchwald had been in active communication with the school district, Department of Education and the legislature to see the issue be resolved.

“We are delighted that our funding has been restored, but just as importantly, that Assemblyman Buchwald understood the inherent unfairness and fixed it,” Superintendent of the Harrison Central School District Lou Wool said. “The district is grateful for Assemblyman Buchwald's commitment to restoring the $46,000 in state aid. On behalf of our district and the entire school community I thank him for his due diligence and commitment.”

             “As a mother and member of the PTA, I applaud Assemblyman Buchwald for his work to secure funding for our schools,” Co-President of the Harrison PT Council Lynn Kaplan said. “With this funding and the support of the state legislature, we can continue to invest in our children’s education, keep our classrooms vibrant and provide students with the necessary tools to succeed.”

              “I can’t thank Assemblyman Buchwald enough for his part in helping see that this restoration of funding was made, and I commend all our leaders in Albany for helping education turn the corner,” President of the Harrison Association of Teachers Karen Magee said. “Our schools need continued adequate funding to provide our students with a proper education, one that allows us to continue to focus on the individual needs of our students which ultimately will set them up for a lifetime of success.”