Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the PTA Council.

Many of us are struggling with very real problems that we feel we cannot do much about: economic disruption, public health dangers, personal loss, educational uncertainty, social isolation, and cabin fever. Nothing in our lives is as it was three months ago and we are all struggling to keep our heads above water and stay afloat. Many of us feel powerless in these uncertain times. However, there is a positive and constructive action that we can take right now. An action that will help our community to move forward. We can vote.

Inarguably, this is a terrible time to be voting on a budget. There are so many things that we don’t know about next school year, from the amount of aid our district is going to receive from New York State, to the looming question of when, and whether, our kids will be returning to live classrooms in the fall.

The only things we know for certain are that our kids need our schools, that our community needs our schools, and that our schools need our community. We are all in this together.

We also know that bringing the budget under the tax cap levy, which is where the 2020-2021 budget falls, was of paramount importance for our residents. The District and Board of Education heard that message and have accomplished that goal. This budget continues our district’s ability to invest in the kind of learning environment and student experiences that have distinguished our schools for so long.

Unfortunately, we must also recognize that if the budget does not pass, we could be forced to operate on a contingency budget – 0% tax levy growth – representing a loss of $2 million. There is also the question that should our state aid also be cut; how would we recover the lost revenue?

In a contingency budget scenario, we would lose flexibility in non-mandated cuts and would be forced to make cuts in our staff. This would mean the elimination of teacher and other staff positions as well as programs that we value in our district. Our community is faced with an unprecedented decision that will affect us for years to come. Our Board of Education and Superintendent are well aware of this moment and have prepared a smart and responsible budget with an eye towards the future.

One thing we have all come to appreciate over these last three months is the importance of staying connected. Our families, our neighbors, and our special Pelham community has had a long history of coming together in support of those in need. Now is your chance to show your support for our schools when it truly matters most. Your vote can make a difference.

Please complete the ballot and reinvest in our community. Vote in favor to fund our children’s schools in a way that will minimize disruption to the educational experiences that we pride ourselves on being able to give them. If you have not returned your ballot it’s not too late to make your vote count. You can hand deliver your ballot directly to the Pelham Post Office by 5pm on Tuesday, June 16^th.  If you have any questions please reach out to us at: [email protected].

Please join the Colonial School PTA, Hutchinson School PTA, Prospect Hill School PTA, Siwanoy School PTA, Pelham Middle School PTA, Pelham Memorial High School PTA, SEPTA, and the PTA Council of Pelham and Vote in favor of the 2020-2021 Pelham School District Budget.

Thank you,

The Pelham Council of PTAs