Legislation Committee

It is a PTA's responsibility to promote the educational needs and values of the school community and to address how decisions by school administrators, the Board of Education and elected officials, meet those needs. Advocacy is an integral part of any PTA and occurs in every action designed to improve the lives of children. 


The Legislation Committee's activities are designed to inform members and the community of pending and enacted legislation and proposals made by the Garden City Board of Education, including the District’s proposed school budget may have on our public schools. The Committee provides the tools necessary to empower members to be active participants in the decision process and affect positive change, by communicating concerns to key decision makers both within our district and beyond.


Through our affiliation with NYS and National PTA, we work to “secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth” and to support a system of free public education.  The work of this Committee is nonpartisan and aligned with the National PTA and NYS PTA guidelines. The Legislation Committee works closely with District Administration, the Curriculum, and Health & Safety Committees other groups where appropriate to achieve PTA goals for children and youth. 

Vice President Legislation

legislation@gardencitypta.org


“The overall purpose of PTA is to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children."

School Budget Info

Budget Season is Here!

Tuesday, May 5 is the Board of Education school budget adoption meeting.  The meeting will be conducted virtually over Google Meets at 8:15 PM.  A link to the meeting is posted on the Board of Education website.  The entire school budget presentation can be accessed here.


By executive order, Governor Cuomo has designated June 9 as the date for school budget votes and board of education elections in New York.  The budget votes and elections will be conducted by absentee ballot.  Eligible voters will receive ballots and a postage-paid return envelope by mail.


This year’s school budget ballot will contain Three Propositions:

  1. The 2020-2021 Proposed Budget
  2. The Use of Capital Reserve Funds
  3. The Election of one Board of Education Trustee

 

Proposition I, Proposed School Budget

Highlights from the 2020-2021 Proposed Budget include:

  • Implement full-day kindergarten;
  • Expand FUNdations to Grade 3 for students who require additional support;
  • Implement Special Education Strategic Plan and introduce one self-contained kindergarten section and cotaught kindergarten, first, and fifth grade sections;
  • Continue to identify and address mental health needs K-12;
  • Reimagine school libraries as collaborative learning and media centers;
  • Continue all athletic teams at the current level;
  • Upgrade technology infrastructure districtwide and strengthen cyber security posture.


*Note* The Administration recently amended the proposed budget to allocate approximately $500,000 from reserves to allow for anticipated one-time student support expenses resulting from the COVID-19 extended school closures.  


Proposition II, The Use of Capital Reserve Funds

Three Proposed Projects:

  1. Interior renovation of Middle School Library;
  2. Creation of Middle School Collaborative Learning Space;
  3. Creation of new High School research lab.


The Executive Committee of the Garden City PTA urges all Garden City residents to VOTE YES for the 2020-2021 School Budget and Propositions II and III on June 9th.  


To read the PTA Executive Committee’s letter in support of the 2020-2021 School Budget, please see below. 

PTA Executive Committee - School Budget 2020-2021

Download PDF

Be A Voice and Take Action

School Security

Dyslexia Legislation Petition

Dyslexia Legislation Petition

image13

The New York State PTA has authored a petition asking Governor Cuomo and the NYS Legislature to support School Security by creating funding streams to strengthen school safety and ALLOW DISTRICTS TO DECLINE THEIR SCHOOLS’ DESIGNATION AS POLLING LOCATIONS. 


The Garden City PTA Legislation Committee has worked closely with Dr. Sinha to urge the NYS Legislature to change NYS Election Laws to allow schools to opt out as polling sites. Please sign this important petition by clicking on the link below.

Take Action

Dyslexia Legislation Petition

Dyslexia Legislation Petition

Dyslexia Legislation Petition

image14

As the 2020 Legislative Session opens in Albany, the Executive Committee

and the Legislation Committee of the Garden City PTA are requesting all PTA members to contact our local legislators, Senator Kevin Thomas and

Assemblyman Ed Ra, and urge them to support various bills addressing

dyslexia and its related disorders, which are currently being held up in the

NYS Senate and Assembly Education Committees.


Let’s send a loud Garden City message to our legislators about Dyslexia Legislation!

Take Action

Information Center

NYS PTA Opposes HPV Mandate Legislation

Who is responsible for Education in New York?

Who is responsible for Education in New York?

image15

On January 8, 2020 the New York State PTA issued its opposition to any legislation or executive order that would make the HPV vaccine mandatory for school admittance as well as any legislation or executive order that would allow minors to get the HPV vaccine without parental

consent. View the press release.

Read More

Who is responsible for Education in New York?

Who is responsible for Education in New York?

Who is responsible for Education in New York?

image16

The Governor, NYS Education Department and Board of Regents, and our Board of Education


Click below for contacts to our elected representatives. Contact the Board of Education at BOE@gcufsd.net 

Downloads

Who Are My Legislators_ (pdf)

Download

School Budget Basics 2019-20 (pdf)

Download

HPV Information (pdf)

Download