A Message from Dr. Villanueva: Upcoming Budget Re-Vote and Visit from NY State Senator Shelley Mayer

Dear Eastchester Faculty, Families and Community,   

What a week! I think it’s pretty easy to say that it’s always the highlight of my day to see our students in action…with our last advisory period at EHS wrapping up with ice cream for all,  our fifth graders enjoying their milestone DARE picnic at Lake Isle, and EMS musicians filling the air with end of year orchestra and jazz band performances, it’s really starting to feel like the last month of the school year!

Re-Vote: Tuesday, June 16 is Just Around the Corner

I encourage every eligible resident to participate in the budget re-vote on Tuesday, June 16. Polls will be open from 6AM to 9PM in the Eastchester Middle School Gymnasium. Your voice and your vote are imperative to the future direction of our schools…we hope to see you there.

A Visit from Senator Shelley Mayer

I am happy to share that New York State Senator Shelley Mayer will join us at our next Board of Education Meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16 at 7:30 PM. We are grateful for her responsiveness to all the families and community members who reached out to Senator Mayer’s office to advocate on behalf of our schools. We would like to share our gratitude for her support and we look forward to learning more about the emergency state aid funding process.

We can do it and I know our vision remains true…

“Four Campuses, Four Pillars, One Vision, Elevate Eastchester” 

Our vision grounds our community and our district in determination, drive and inspiration for what is to come. We are built to be resilient and to never back down.

I remain confident in the strength of our community and our shared commitment to providing exceptional opportunities for our students.

Over the past several weeks, the Board of Education and district administration have participated in numerous public meetings, PTA presentations, community forums, and question-and-answer sessions. We are grateful for the thoughtful engagement, difficult questions, and genuine concern demonstrated by our community throughout this process.

Thank YOU for your continued support and dedication to the students of Eastchester. 

And, with an unwavering commitment to everyone in our district…your Superintendent,

Dr. Villanueva

Important Questions About the Budget

How do I determine if my child is eligible for Transportation if the proposition passes?

The ‘Transportation widget/checker’ is now live on the main district website. Families are invited to type in their home address to determine if their child is eligible for transportation based on the distance to their assigned school.

What will the Transportation appeal process look like if my child is not eligible?

It is important to remember that Eastchester school buses do not currently run at maximum ridership levels. Knowing this, we are working to release an appeal process where families can send in an appeal to request transportation if they are not eligible but within range of an existing bus run based on the 1mile and 1.5mile policy. IF we have buses running below capacity and open seats are available on a bus, there may be opportunities where families who are within close proximity to existing bus stops can ride the bus if appealed. Although exceptions cannot be guaranteed, we are committed to trying our best to accommodate families who are experiencing hardship with the change in transportation mileage.

Once the appeal process and criteria have been fully fleshed out, it will be posted clearly on our website and shared with families as we get ready to assign students on buses for next year.

Why Is the Transportation/Bus Proposition Important Now and For the Future?

Transportation costs continue to be one of the district's fastest-growing expenditures and represent a substantial long-term financial pressure facing not only Eastchester but school districts throughout New York State. The transportation proposition was developed as a way to reduce recurring annual costs while preserving transportation services for students who meet the adjusted mileage requirements. The proposal intentionally prioritizes our youngest learners and families who are most dependent upon district-provided transportation.

We also reviewed the difficult realities associated with balancing the budget. Community members were reminded that even with the transportation proposition, the district is facing significant reductions. Without adjustments to transportation mileage, staffing reductions would be substantially greater. The transportation proposal was presented as a means of preserving as many educational opportunities, programs, and personnel positions as possible while creating a more sustainable financial path forward.

What will the ‘One-Time Emergency State Funds’ be used for?

Tuesday night's presentation clarified that any potential state assistance being discussed would consist of one-time funds designated primarily for capital-related purposes. These funds cannot be used to pay for recurring operational expenses such as employee salaries or transportation contracts. While we are actively advocating for Eastchester and pursuing every available opportunity for financial assistance, residents should understand that one-time funding cannot solve our ongoing structural budget challenges.

The extensive process required for securing any emergency state capital funding is very specific and we are committed to following the process carefully to maximize our ability to utilize the one-time emergency state funds. A brief explanation of the process is shared below.

Applications must move through multiple levels of review, including legislative offices, state finance officials, the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), and the Division of the Budget before any funds can be approved and ultimately reimbursed. As a result, these funds should not be viewed as an immediate solution to the district's operating budget concerns.

Most importantly, even if Eastchester were to receive one-time emergency funding, the budget vote on June 16 remains essential. Any potential state assistance does not eliminate the need for voter approval of the district budget. Failure of the budget re-vote would still result in the district entering contingency status regardless of any one-time funding opportunities that may become available.

Throughout this process, our focus has remained unchanged: preserving educational opportunities for students while maintaining long-term fiscal responsibility. Every proposal brought forward has been developed with the goal of minimizing the impact on students while ensuring that Eastchester remains financially sustainable for years to come.

For More FAQ’s, please visit our website at eufsdk12.org