NYI Students in Albany for Advocacy Day with the 4201 Association

The Association has requested a re-appropriation of $30 million in funds approved in the Fiscal Year 2019-20 for short term deferred maintenance and improvements and additionally requests to access existing Dormitory Authority authorization of $110 million for long-term projects focused on-campus health and safety needs.

New York's schools for the blind, deaf and physically disabled are requesting a continuation of direct appropriations included in the FY 2019-20 State Budget, for a total of 10.2 million. 

We shared with State Senators and Assembly Members our request for resources on par with proposed funding increases for public schools.

The Association's third request for state legislative consideration: Help us recruit and retain qualified staff by providing dedicated resources to keep the quality teachers and aides on our campuses rather than losing them go to public school districts.

Seeking a re-appropriation of $30M for short-term deferred maintenance, and to engage @NYS_DASNY authorization for $110M for vital long-term projects,

The vitality of our schools for the deaf, blind
and physically disabled relies on state budget support.

The Association’s 2020-2021 resource priorities include: requesting continued direct budget appropriations, maintaining par funding with public schools, recruiting and retaining qualified staff, and investing in long-term capital needs that ensure the health and safety needs of the children are maintained.

“Our students and their families are able to express to our legislators the benefits of attending our schools – and how it prepares them for a meaningful future,” said Dr. Bernadette Kappen, Chair of the 4201 Schools Association and Executive Director of the New York Institute for Special Education in the Bronx. “We are proud of our students and what they achieve – graduation rates and student performance are outcomes that stem from a robust rate of attendance and a dedicated and engaged corps of teachers and staff.”

Twenty pieces of art produced by our students that will be on display in Albany. Darlin a student @nyise999 provides a sense of motion while mixing color & texture in his interpretation of #vanGogh's masterpiece Starry Night.

Last week, Dr. Kappen gave testimony at a budget hearing on maintaining par funding with public schools; supporting our teachers & clinical professionals; investing in our long-term capital needs & ensuring the health/safety priorities on our campuses.