Peekskill plans to join a growing protest against unfunded and underfunded state and federal mandates that drive up the cost of education for school district taxpayers.
The Board of Education expects to select three of the approximately 150 such requirements during its March 20 business meeting and voice its objections to the state Mandate Relief Council.
The Westchester-Putnam School Boards Association (WPSBA) is encouraging school districts to take such action in accordance with provisions of the 2011 state legislation that imposed a 2 percent cap on tax levy increases. According to that legislation, school districts and local governments can submit up to three mandates a year for review by the council.
The Elmsford-based WPSBA has developed a list of what it considers the most crucial mandates requiring action. Topics include “step” salary increases after a contract expires, pension contributions, the teacher disciplinary process, mileage limits on busing to private schools, consolidation of services, special education and Wicks Law requirements for multiple contracts for certain construction projects.
