New York – Additional $7 Million For Yeshivas From Mandated Services

New York – Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) was delighted to unveil a $7 million budgetary distribution to yeshivas and other parochial schools in the 2012-13 NY State budget for mandated services.

“Our community has been short-changed for too long in C.A.P. re-imbursements,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “This $7 million is a wonderful step in the right direction towards our yeshivas getting their full, fair share.”

C.A.P. (the Comprehensive Attendance Policy), part of mandated services, requires schools to take attendance at the beginning of every period. But since the program’s inception in 2006, yeshivas have been denied their equitable share of funds earmarked for all schools.

“More than ever yeshivas are feeling the bite of tough economic times,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “It was crucial that we receive a greater share of mandated services funds so we fought long and hard for this money. This $7 million will take a huge burden off yeshivas.”

Assemblyman Hikind thanked his colleague Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz along with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos for ensuring this boost in the just-passed New York State budget. The Assemblyman also recognized the tremendous efforts of Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz and Rabbi Shiya Ostreicher of Agudath Israel of America, Sam Sutton and TEACH NYS (The Educational Alliance for Children in New York State, the New York State Catholic Conference and the Orthodox Union for their hard work in getting the State Assembly and Senate to recognize the importance of this allocation.