Annabi Seeks Update on Schools to Focus Budget Lobbying Efforts

YONKERS, NY — Yonkers Majority Leader Sandy Annabi, (D – District 2) will be introducing legislation into the City Council at tonight’s Rules Committee meeting, calling for a meeting between the Yonkers Schools Administration and the Council’s Education Committee. As Education Chair, she is seeking an update on the School District’s financial status, future outlook, and planned direction, given the dire economic forecasts and uncertain fiscal climate in the State.

Annabi said, “Our School District provides over
25,000 students with educational services, in conjunction with
initiatives to address student needs in the areas of guidance, social
work, health, and enrichment in the arts and competitive sports. Our
School District has had a long-term struggle with securing funding, and
the current fiscal conditions in New York State deeply affect the
projections for the City of Yonkers and our School District.”

Annabi stressed,  “Now is
the time to gather our resources, and find ways to buttress the
District against the coming financial crisis. To ensure that the
District survives the coming turbulence, Yonkers must plan and
strategize in advance of the worst of the coming budget crunch. The
City Council requires an update on the status of and the projections
for the Yonkers Public Schools, encompassing the remainder of the
current and coming budget year.”

“I have full faith that meeting with the
Superintendent and his budget team to cooperatively review the state
and direction of the School District will enhance and can better focus
legislative efforts to lobby for our School District,” Annabi concluded.

The next Council Rules Committee meeting is set
for 6:30 pm on, Tuesday, October 07, 2008 in the City Council
Conference Room on the Fourth Floor of City Hall.