Jaffee’s & Carlucci’s Bill to Protect School Building Aid in Pearl River is Headed to the Governor’s Desk

(Albany, NY) - Today, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee (D-Suffern) and Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) announced legislation (A. 9802-A/S.8530) they sponsor passed through the full legislature to protect critical school aid in Pearl River.  The legislation helps to ensure the Pearl River Union Free School District is not fined $651,397 due to a clerical error, following a change in the school building aid process. In turn, Pearl River taxpayers will be shielded from higher school taxes to offset the costly penalty.

Assemblywoman Ellen C. Jaffee said, “Now more than ever, our taxpayers should not incur an additional burden in paying more for an accidental mistake.  The Pearl River School District can now use those funds to benefit our students.”
 
Senator David Carlucci said, “School districts are bracing for potential cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we must do everything we can to protect critical funding for our schools. This legislation will ensure a clerical error does not result in aid being taken from the district, which would be an injustice to the district, students, and taxpayers.”

The legislation validates and ratifies several approved building projects by allowing the State Education Department (SED) to consider the district’s failure to submit a final cost report as an inadvertent administrative or ministerial oversight.

Dr. Marco Pochintesta, Pearl River School District Superintendent said, “The Pearl River Schools are fortunate to have the steadfast and enthusiastic support of our local legislators, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, and Senator David Carlucci. We are grateful for their advocacy on our behalf, and their sharing in our belief that our students are our future.”   

This bill is now headed to the Governor who can sign it into law or veto it.