Members from Sachem’s Legislative Committee, as well as students and concerned members from the Sachem Family traveled to Albany on Thursday for Sachem’s Lobby Day.
Complete with a packed schedule of meetings with politicians from Sachem’s legislative district, and 7,000 letters from students in-hand, the traveling constituents wanted answer’s about decrease in state aid for Sachem, which will greatly affect the 2013-2014 school budget.
Among the politicians who made time for the contingent from Sachem was State Sen. Lee Zeldin and Assemblyman Al Graf.
Ironically New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was actually on Long Island Thursday at an event on the campus at Stony Brook University. He’ll release a second run-through of the state’s executive budget around March 21. Sachem will know if it will receive more state aid at that time.
This was the second time a large group of representatives from Sachem took a bus trip to lobby politicians in Albany. Following the $14 million in aid cuts during the 2009-10 school year, multiple buses and hundreds of staff and faculty members, including some district administrators, made the three hour trek north.
There is a “We Are Sachem” rally planned for the district on Saturday, March 9 at Sachem High School North at 11 a.m., and the letter writing campaign is on going.
Here’s what some people who took the trip to Albany for Sachem are saying about Lobby Day:
Dana Platin, Co-Chair of Sachem’s Legislative Committee and Sachem parent: “As soon as the bus started to roll, we embraced our mission with excitement and enthusiasm. On the way there, we discussed strategy and studied talking points so that we would all share and deliver the same message to the legislators. By the time we pulled up in front of the Capitol building, we were true lobbyists, raring to go. Dressed in our Sachem gear we made quite an impression on everyone we met, and even on the people who walked by, some of whom were Sachem graduates themselves. We met with Senators Flanagan, Zeldin and Boyle and Assemblymen Graf, Englebright, Garbarino, Hennessey and Fitzpatrick. We also had the opportunity to meet with several staff members from Speaker Sheldon Smith’s office and Minority Leader Brian Kolb’s office, as well as members of the Senate Finance Committee. We moved from office to office, between the Capitol Building and the Legislative Office Building, quickly and with purpose. We voiced our concerns with eloquence and grace and our messages were positively received and appreciated. The day proved to be an extraordinary success and an invaluable experience.”
Jon Weston, English teacher at Sachem North and VP of SCTA: “Today’s coalition of students, parents, community members and teachers advocating for our fair share of state aid was electric. Speaking with lawmakers and their aides and delivering thousands of letters to the governor made a statement to Albany that Sachem wants its fair share. The SCTA is glad to have sponsored an event that helps preserve the opportunities that Sachem students currently have to pursue their dreams.”
Kevin Tougher, Teacher at Cayuga Elementary and SCTA building rep: “Today was an inspiring day, and we definitely made a difference! The most powerful part, to me, was watching the parents and students share their stories with legislators. Sachem must always be the type of school district that provides amazing opportunities for its students. We should always strive to produce student leaders who have the intelligence and the courage to let their voices be heard and make a difference!”
Kyle J. Kilkenny, Sophomore at Sachem High School North: “Yesterday was an example of the best Sachem has to offer. Headed by Mrs. Dana Platin, Mr. Jon Weston, and Mr. Kevin Tougher, a team of volunteers including Sachem’s students, parents, and community members headed to Albany for a day I will never forget. We met with several of our elected officials from the State Senate and the State Assembly. During these sessions, students were able to engage in conversation with our representatives, combining our key talking points with personal experiences we’ve had at Sachem. As a student in various Advanced Placement, Honors and Fine Arts classes and an aspiring politician myself, I was beyond thrilled to meet with all of our elected officials, especially Senator John J. Flanagan, who had been present at the Project Playground Ceremony at Gatelot when I was in 5th Grade and has been an inspiration to me for his continued support for our district. I anticipate that Mr. Cuomo’s administration will make a decision based on all our progress yesterday, and I trust that the legislators we met with will support us to the fullest extent. I would like to thank Mr. Dolan, Mr. Nolan, Mrs. Platin, and the entire SCTA and Sachem Legislative Committee for giving me the chance to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience with the very best Sachem has to offer. This field trip was more than a trip, but an experience providing students with an inside look as to how our government works. Thank you for your continued support of our district, and I charge you to write a letter to Mr. Cuomo and our other elected officials, and asking them for an appropriate restoration in our state aid!”
RELATED: PHOTOS: See more images from Sachem’s Lobby Day
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro