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BRONX TIMES REPORTER, MARCH 25-31, 2022 BXR
BY ROBBIE SEQUEIRA
From administrators to
teachers and students, the COVID
19 pandemic has taken its
toll on New York’s school systems.
Perhaps no school had
more unique challenges through
the pandemic than 4201 Schools
— not-for-profit, state-supported
schools serving students who are
deaf, blind and severely physically
disabled.
For those 10 specialized
schools throughout New York
state, three of which are located
in the Bronx, an increase
in state funding which includes
$11.6 million in the state Assembly’s
one-house budget proposal
and $30 million in the state Senate’s
budget, could help with areas
of need such as teacher retainment.
“Because of the lower salaries,
staff members at the 4201
Schools are often recruited by
school districts who can pay
much higher salaries,” said
Bernadette Kappen, executive
director for Pelham Parkwaylocated
New York Institute for
Special Education and co-chair
of the 4201 Schools Association.
“The 4201 Schools are often the
professional training ground
for teachers of the blind and
teachers of the deaf in public
schools. When the staff leave
schools because of the low salaries,
the students suffer.”
The Senate’s proposal, a $30
million investment over three
years, includes a fiscal reserve
fund that would allow schools
to prepare for contingencies
throughout the school year and
offer competitive salaries. Funding
will also allow schools to purchase
Braille and other large
print textbooks, as well as other
adaptive learning materials, 4201
Schools administrators said.
On average, NYC public
school teachers earn $65,904,
and several 4201 Schools teachers
told the Bronx Times they
are making well less than that
— estimating a near $20,000 differential
in pay. That pay disparity
makes it hard to reject job offers
from other school systems,
despite their passion working
with deaf and blind students,
4201 Schools teachers said.
“Competitive compensation
for the work done by uniquely
trained teachers of the deaf,
blind and severely physically
disabled needs to be addressed
in the funding of our schools,”
said Debra Arles, executive director
at St. Joseph’s School for
the Deaf, which is located near
the Hutchinson Parkway. “It is
not a question of how it will impact
our school, it already does.
We lose staff on a regular basis
as a result of the salary disparity
between a 4201 school and the
public school systems.”
Another hurdle that renewed
investment from the state could
help 4201 Schools overcome is
access to reliable transportation
for students. Parents and
officials complained that other
school districts in the state were
reportedly able to provide adequate
bus transportation for
their students who attend these
schools, which typically begins
on Sept. 1, when school starts.
The Daily News reported that
approximately 400 students with
disabilities were slated to utilize
the special transportation to 4201
schools this year, but schools had
run into inconsistent busing issues
for the third consecutive
year. Kappen told QNS.com that
at least four schools she represents,
including Lavelle School
for the Blind in Baychester were
“being thrown into a state of uncertainty”
by the constant changing
plans for transportation.
In his first budget proposal
since taking office in February,
NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ plans
would actually boost overall city
spending on schools by 3% compared
to last year, with $134 million
designated for pupil transportation.
State budget proposals could
help NYC’s deaf, blind schools
While the pandemic took a toll on NYC schools, 4201 Schools faced a unique
challenge meeting the needs of their deaf and blind students, as well their
teachers. Photo courtesy 4201 Schools
Awards Event
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
6:00PM – 9:30 PM
The Surf Club On The Sound
280 Davenport Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10805
Honoring:
Robert Davis
Eifert, French & Ketchum
Sandra Erickson
Sandra Erickson Real Estate, Inc.
Field Hall Foundation
Clarence Stanley
Small Business Development
Center at Lehman College
Linda Tyler
Business Council of Westchester
Emcee:
Gary Axelbank
BronxTalk & Bronx Buzz, Bronxnet
To RSVP, Scan the QR Code or
Visit www.visionsvcb.org/events
For more information, please call
212-625-1616, ext. 135
Victoria Schneps presents
PODCAST
Misty Marris, Co-Managing
partner of Gordon Rees Scully
Mansukhani and On-Air Legal
Analyst speaks of the people
who impacted her early life, her
role as Co-Managing Partner and
On-Air Legal Analyst, and what
her secrets to success are.
Misty Marris
Co-Managing partner of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani
and On-Air Legal Analyst
https://podcasts.schnepsmedia.com
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