Bridges Special Budget Edition

Message from the Superintendent

I trust this letter finds you and your families healthy and well. I am writing today to provide you with some important updates and reminders. When Governor Cuomo issued his Executive Order mandating the closure of all New York schools, he required that districts work through all scheduled vacations in order for Learning from Home days to be counted toward the required 180 days of instruction. As you recall, Spring Break and the Friday before Memorial Day, which were scheduled days of vacation, became days of instruction. At last evening’s Board of Education meeting, the Board adopted a revised calendar which deducts the seven days, which were scheduled vacations, from the end of June. As a result, the last day of school/Learning from Home for students is now, June 17, 2020.

School Budget 2020-21

Due to COVID-19, all voting will take place by absentee ballots. There is no in-person voting. Ballots must be returned to the District Clerk's Office by June 9, 2020 at 5 p.m.

Washington Irving Students Deliver to Essential Workers

Like many teachers reaching out to students during the pandemic, Kaycee Von Essen sees great lessons in small actions. The reading teacher encouraged the staff and students at Washington Irving to write letters to essential workers. Von Essen started an internal mail system called “Wee Deliver” before the COVID-19 outbreak based on the United States Postal Service Wee Deliver campaign. She wanted to promote reading and writing skills. The mini post office also fostered a sense of unity throughout the school. In the month before the pause, more than 1,000 letters were written and delivered by WI students and staff.

School Budget Vote 2020-21

Advocacy

Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NY State Division of the Budget are predicting a $10-15 billion dollar shortfall in anticipated state revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor has warned that, without more assistance from the federal government, the result could be a twenty percent or greater reduction in state aid to New York school districts and also significant decreases to aid for municipalities. This massive reduction in funding would have a devastating impact upon the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns.

Update on School Budget Vote & Board Elections 2020-2021

On Friday, May 1, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 202.26 which modifies the rules under which school districts are to conduct the 2020 Annual Meeting for the election of School Board Members and Budget Votes.