Assemblywoman Amy Paulin recently met with local school business officials to discuss Governor Paterson's most recent budget recommendations for state aid to public schools. Present at the meeting were the Assistant Superintendents for Business from Scarsdale, Bronxville, Tuckahoe, Eastchester, White Plains, New Rochelle and Pelham.

At the meeting, Assemblywoman Paulin and the school officials looked for ways to protect their districts from Governor Paterson's looming budget cuts. Of the meeting, Fred Seiler, Assistant Superintendent for Business in White Plains, commented that, "I appreciate the effort and work Amy Paulin does to do the best for our students. Ms. Paulin understands the nitty gritty of complicated aid formulas and their implications for local school districts."

In addition:

• Mary Ellen Melnyk, Assistant Superintendent for Business in Eastchester, stated that "Ms. Paulin provided an opportunity for school business officials to discuss the Governor's suggested adjustments to school aid and the effect they would have on school districts' revenues. Ms. Paulin is both a strong supporter of public education as well as an informed advocate for taxpayers."
• Assistant Superintendent for Business in New Rochelle John Quinn noted that "Assemblywoman Amy Paulin's budget proposals would preserve over one million dollars more in State Aid for the taxpayers and students of the New Rochelle School District than was presented in the Governor's budget. This aid is critical in these challenging economic times."
• Angelo Rubbo, Assistant Superintendent for Business in Pelham, remarked that "Amy Paulin is knowledgeable and understands the shuffle game which shifts the costs and responsibility from the State to the schools. We look forward to working with Assemblywoman Paulin to find fair proposals that will allow the school districts to maintain quality programs and minimize or even reduce school taxes."
• Assistant Superintendent for Business in Scarsdale Linda Purvis commented that "Assemblywoman Paulin has made it her business to be on top of the implications of the state budget on local school districts. School business officials really feel we have someone in Albany who understands the difficulties we are facing right now."

"Fighting for education has been one of my top priorities since I started in the Assembly eight years ago," said Assemblywoman Paulin. "During these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever to protect our school districts and taxpayers, and meeting with school officials from my districts is a vital first step," she added.