HHH Goes to Albany to Talk to Legislators

This past Tuesday the HHH PTA Legislation Committee went to Albany to lobby for state aid.

Twenty students from HS East and HS West made the journey upstate. They were accompanied by the two committee co-chairs — Nichole DiFatta and Betty DeSabato — as well as Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Facilities Victor Manuel; Board of Education vice president Jeanine Bottenus; the president of the Teachers Association, Mel Stern; HHH PTA president Marietta Costa; HHH PTA past president Corrie Ann Young; HS West Assistant Principal Mary Lippert and HS East Assistant Principal Michael Catapano.

A few PTA building parent representatives also went along: Carolyn Cipriano, Michael Petruzelli and Maria Russo Schwartz.

The students had appointments with various senators and assembly members to discuss the impact of the governor's state aid cuts to education on the district. They had more than 40 appointments, meeting with several members of the Education and Finance committees. They met with Senator John Flanagan, Chairman of the Education Committee; Senator Carl Marcellino; Assemblyman Andrew Raia; as well as the Governor's budget staff, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's education staff and Senator Dean Skelos's education staff.

The students explained that they knew there had to be budget cuts, but that they needed to be fair, and that Long Island should not be carrying the burden.

The students reflected on their individual experiences in the three A's: arts, academics and athletics as well as programs in special education. They explained that further cuts in state aid would impede the districts' ability to continue providing its current well-rounded curriculm.

Christine Geed, public relations coordinator for the HHH school district, said: "This trip provided an opportunity for the students to advocate for their district in a very direct manner. It was a positive experience for them to have the opportunity to speak to these legislators about what is important to them and their concerns of what impact the budget cuts will have on their education. The legislators were very impressed with how they presented themselves and communicated their message."

Victor Manuel, assistant superintendent of finance and facilities, who went on the trip, said: "This is an incredible educational opportunity for students to interact with politicians and other personnel at the state level. The students were amazing in their communication."

Betty DeSabato, HHH PTA Legislation Committee co-chair, who was also on the trip, said: "The committee is comprised of ninth through twelfth grade students from HS East and West.  Every year this committee goes to Albany to lobby for state aid. The trip is very effective because it allows the senators and assembly members to interact with the students and hear first hand how the current cuts will affect these students and their district. Every year the legislators are impressed with how our students communicate their message and the professionalism with which they carry themselves. It has truly been an honor for Nichole DiFatta and myself to have had the opportunity to co-chair this committee for the past two years. "