Special Needs Bronx Schools Spared In Budget Deal
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While there's a lot of griping and disappointment about the pared-down state budget, two schools in the Bronx are cautiously celebrating. NY1's Dean Meminger filed the following report.Students Amanie Riley and Vanessa Luna of the Institute for Special Education welcomed the news Monday of a state budget deal that will keep funding for their schools and others like it in place.
"All of the 4201 schools voices were heard. And I hope that the money that is going to get restored is going to be beneficial to everybody," Riley said.
The Institute for Special Education and Saint Joseph's School for the Deaf located in the Bronx are both 4201 schools, or private schools funded directly by the state for students with disabilities. There are 11 such specialized schools in the state, five of which are located in the city.
Governor Andrew Cuomo had proposed cutting the nearly $100 million budget for the schools, turning the funding responsibilities over to local school districts. But on Sunday the governor said the state will keep paying for the schools, although there will be changes in how that's done.
"Whatever the details are, I don't personally know them yet," Luna said.
The lack of details are a concern for administrators as well. They say there are still lots of questions that need to be answered about how the money will be funneled to each of their schools.
"We are not yet cheering because there is still work to understand this," said New York Institute for Special Education Executive Director Bernadette Kappen.
At this point it appears local districts will pay for the 4201 schools and then get the money back from the state. But some school officials wonder if that will work.
"The district themselves have been cut so we are concerned about the districts being able to forward the money to us without using it for other needs they might have," said St. Joseph's School for the Deaf Principal Joe Catavero.
4201 schools across the state lobbied the governor and law makers to save their funding. Students took an active role.
"I've written letters, signed petitions, articles, I've spoken at the rally in Albany," Riley said.
"I learned more about the government and how things work. And it is definitely a life changing experience," Luna said.
Students say in addition to staying open, they hope their schools will continue to change lives.