Cameryn Oakes | July 15, 2024
The Henry Viscardi School received $522,000 from New York State which will go toward its general operating fund and capital funding amid recent threats of cutbacks to its funding.
The funds will be split into $322,000 for its general operating fund and $200,000 for capital funding to renovate its location for a museum on disability history.
“Education should be accessible to all children and the Henry Viscardi School has spent the last six decades ensuring this is a reality for students across the state,” Assemblywoman said Gina Sillitti (D-District 16), who awarded the funds to the school.
The $522,000 was announced Thursday after New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) and Sillitti toured the school.
“We were honored to host Speaker Heastie at our school – a true champion for equity and inclusion in education, especially for students with disabilities,” Chris Rosa, president and CEO of The Viscardi Center, said. “Moreover, we are heartened by his investment in critical services for [Henry Viscardi School] students and Viscardi’s efforts to preserve and amplify disability history and culture.”
The Henry Viscardi School in Albertson is a New York State 4201 school that provides tailored education for students with physical disabilities or medical challenges.
The school offers students a traditional learning environment with the added advantages of ramps, elevators, medical services and assistive technology with a fully accessible environment for all of its students.
The school has offered its education services for more than 60 years, teaching students from pre-K through the 12th grade. The school teaches more than 150 students.
Sillitti’s office said in a press release that the Assembly Majority has worked to secure $903,000 in the state budget for the school over the past eight years.
“We are grateful for Assemblymember Sillitti’s advocacy on behalf of the Henry Viscardi School, particularly on pay parity for [Henry Viscardi School’s] teachers and professionals, who drive our inclusion mission,” Rosa said.
But state funds have not always been guaranteed.
In 2023, the state budget initially proposed a $2 million cut for 4201 schools, including the Henry Viscardi School. The school estimated this would be a loss of about $200,000-$250,000 for them. The funds in 2023 were ultimately reinstated in the budget adoption.
“Over the last few years, there has been an attempt to reduce the funding of our 4201 schools, jeopardizing the education of thousands of blind, deaf and physically disabled children,” Sillitti said. “My Assembly Majority colleagues and I remain committed to ensuring these schools have the resources they need to provide all students access to an incredible education.”
Heastie praised Sillitti for her dedication to ensuring funds for the Henry Viscardi School.
“The Henry Viscardi School remains unmatched in its history of providing students with physical disabilities a space they can grow and learn with peers,” said the speaker said. “No one has fought harder for the funding of this incredible program than Assemblymember Sillitti and I’m honored to join her here today to discuss how we can extend the Viscardi School’s services to the next generation of children.”
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