Students Pose Questions to Lawmakers at PTC Breakfast

State Senator Shelley Mayer and Aseemblymember Amy PaulinWhile some in the audience were wondering if the Federal Department of Education would be disbanded, a group of legislators, educators and local officials were considering issues on the state and local level at a panel discussion on Friday February 7 at Greenacres Elementary School.

The annual PTC Legislative Breakfast brought together panelists from the state, the county and local government to respond to questions posed by students in an AT Government Class taught by Elizabeth Harris and Kami Wright at Scarsdale High School. It was well attended by PTA members, parents, school administrators and members of both the Village and School Boards. The event was organized by Joshua Mitts and Juliane Pollaro who Chair the PTC Legislative Advocacy Committee.

Panelists included:

State Senator Shelley Mayer
State Assemblymember Amy Paulin
NYS Regent: Dr. Frances Wills
County Executive Ken Jenkins
County Legislator Ben Boykin
Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest

The students developed and posed questions, many which were of concern to younger residents.Joshua Mitts introduced the session.

The first concerned a bell-to-bell ban of cell phones in school proposed in Governor Kathy Hochul’s state budget. State Senator Shelley Mayer who is the Chair of the State Senate Education Committee said, “I think the concept is good but districts should have some flexibility on how they want to do it… in developing this there was little input from students. We will want to hear from students. But there does need to be a way that parents can contact the schools.”

To a question regarding a proposal to lower the voting age to 18, Assemblymember Amy Paulin said that she had initiated it. She said, “By lowering the voting age we get another voice on the issues. I am not sure the students will be less educated than other voters.”

Paulin also discussed Governor Hochul’s veto of legislation supporting school-based health centers. She explained, “School based health centers are on a fee basis where the fees are paid by Medicaid. The health centers are almost all in NYC – in poor areas. This is to help kids get health and dental care – which is critical for these kids. The Governor is proposing to move this to managed care. It will be cumbersome and complicated and will essentially destroy the program.” She added, “We will hopefully use the leverage of the budget to extend the program.”

The panelistsNYS Regent Frances Will was asked her views on the NYS Regents. She said, “The regents will continue to exist – but as an option. The regents alone as the one way to get a NYS diploma has prevented many from graduating. It is also a challenge on college applications.” She advocated for more holistic assessments of student performance.

The Mayor was asked about the dredging of Library Pond. He explained that the work was done as an outcome of the Save the Sound lawsuit. The work will prevent stormwater outflows from entering the sewer line and will improve overall water quality.” He suggested that the work might continue with the dredging of the watercourse that runs through the Brewster Road parking lot of Scarsdale High School. He added that an additional benefit of the project was a new sidewalk running along Olmsted Road.

County Legislator Ben Boykin was asked if there were any projects that the Board of Legislators is working on that he wished the public knew more about. He responded that the Board had passed legislation to give veterans free passes to county parks. He also said, “We are concerned about federal funding cuts and will meet with Congressman Latimer at the end of the month to review them.”

Students from an AT Government class posed questions.

Mayor Arest was asked how he envisions Scarsdale evolving in the next ten years. He said, “Our three priorities are stormwater, public safety and quality of life. Many of our playing fields are not in the shape we would like them to be. We are looking at technology improvements for public safety and we are looking for help from the county and state for stormwater improvements. We are working with the school districts to make the community more walkable. Our pool project is also under consideration. We are looking at a year-round facility to allow competitive swimming indoors with amenities for seniors.” Arest invited students to provide their input.

Michelle Sterling and Ken JenkinsWhat about a local hangout for high school students? Arest responded by saying maybe new community rooms at the Scarsdale Pool could be space for teens along with the building at the Scarsdale Train Station which the Village is seeking to rent to a vendor to open a café.

A student asked the panelists for advice for pursuing a career in politics or public service.

Pauliin said, “I have been involved I public service since I was 14 years old. It doesn’t start later in life. Be active in the environment in which you live. There are politics within the school. Change the environment in which you live. I was the first female President of my high school and I made a lot of changes in school. And when I moved here I got involved to make change.

Will said, “The regents now has a seal of Civic Engagement which indicates you were involved in civic engagement.”

County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “Everyone is passionate about something and you can get engaged in it.”

Ben Boykin told students to “start early and stay engaged and involved.” As a first step he said, “You have an election here in Scarsdale on March 18. You can get involved. You can participate in “Students Inside Albany.”

And Mayor Arest added, “You are engaged right now.”