Council’s Budget Allocation added 32 new Full-time Positions to Help Enable the District to Meet the Education and Safety Needs of Yonkers Public School Children
Today, members of the Yonkers City Council welcomed parents and students back on the first day of school. The 2022-2023 school year is the first under the Council’s historic $683 million public-school budget – the highest public education allocation in the city’s history.
Passed by the Council in May of this year, the fiscal budget incorporates additional funding for public schools to enable the district to better meet the educational and safety needs of its school children. Specifically, the Council’s budget added 32 new full-time positions including, 9 teaching assistants, 9 school counselors, 10 public safety officers and 4 new social workers.
In highlighting the school system’s increased spending plan, Majority Leader and City Council Education Chair Tasha Diaz (District 3) spoke to the legislative body’s commitment to protecting public schools, “Every child deserves access to a free quality education. I am proud of the work that my colleagues and I have done towards investing in the future of this great city by ensuring that public school children are giving the tools they need to succeed in the future.”
Minority Leader Mike Breen (District 5) added, “For kids and parents, the first day of school can be a mix of joy, excitement and even some jitters. Due to the fiscal leadership demonstrated by the Council, parents should feel assured that our schools are more equipped than ever to meet the needs of the children that they leave in the district’s care. This budget is a down payment on the future of our children and our city.”
Majority Whip John Rubbo (District 4), “As the parent of two public school students, the first day is always filled with mixed emotions. The end of summer, the beginning of a new year of learning and the anxiety of a new school year. Parents can take comfort in knowing that our children are being well taken care of by Superintendent Edwin Quezada, faculty led by YFT President Samantha Rosado Ciriello and staff led by CSEA President Alberto Velasquez.”
“In addition to meeting the academic necessities of our students, we must do everything that we can to keep them safe and protected while they are at school. I am particularly proud that we were able to add additional public safety officers and social workers to this school year,” Council Member Shanae Williams (District 1)
Council Member Corazon Pineda-Isaac (District 2) concluded, “A strong public education system is essential to the individual and collective well-being of our children. As we start a new school year and a new Council session, we will continue to look for ways to strengthen our public schools to help level the playing field so that every child has a chance to live up to their abilities and fulfill their potential.”
“Today,Yonkers students, both returning and new, had their first day of school. This is exciting and a little scary. However, our students are resilient and will have a great day with old and new friends. It will be a great experience as they continue their journey learning new life and educational skills. I wish the students and their families a productive and successful school year,” Council Member Anthony Merante (District 6).
