Dear Administrators and School Leaders,
As you surely know, for nearly 50 years, in large part as a result of advocacy by Agudath Israel and its coalition partners, New York State has reimbursed yeshivas for Mandated Services. For most of our yeshivas, it is the largest source of New York State funding.
Until now, the state has always been liable to reimburse schools for the full cost of mandated services. Even when the allocated amount was insufficient to cover the full cost, the state remained liable and often paid it in subsequent years.
However, language in this year’s proposed budget caps the funding to the amount allocated. This would mean that if the claims exceed the budget allocation, schools will not be fully reimbursed for the mandated services provided.
Furthermore, the proposed budget allocation is $193 million. The State Education Department estimates that the 2023-24 cost will be approximately $210 million. This shortfall coupled with the proposed language could mean cuts of up to 8% to mandated services.
WE MUST TAKE ACTION NOW.
The state budget is currently being negotiated between the governor and the legislature, and must be passed by April 1, so time is running out. Fill out the form below to contact your local state legislator and urge them to save mandated services!