Superintendent Judith Johnson, and others, held a press conference today in the PHS Library to urge Albany to restore the cuts to education. Peekskill gets 44% of its funding from NYS and the proposed cuts would mean 1.8 million dollars less in aide for the next school year. According to Superintendent Johnson, that could mean 70 staff positions would be cut. Also speaking were parent Mrs. Velez-Green, Peekskill Faculty Association President Mary Alice Boyle, Board of Education member Tuesday McDonald, student Alex Velez-Green, and Peekskill Education Foundation President, Jeff Stern. Each one spoke of cuts to programs that would have drastic impact on our students, and urged Albany to restore funds to education.
After the press conference, Superintendent Johnson drove to Albany to speak to legislators on behalf of the Superintendents throughout the state. She is resolute in her beliefs that the future of our country is at stake and we must level the educational playing field so all students get a strong education to give them equal opportunities in the future. She was a ‘free lunch’ student growing up who was fortunate to have a solid education opportunity, and she wants no less for all her students in Peekskill.
A few of the speeches are here: