Sara Weale's Statement on KLDTA's New Contract

(Below is a copy of the statement given at Friday's Katonah-Lewisboro Board of Education meeting from Sara Weale, who is a co-founder of Forward Together KLSD)

Good evening. My name is Sara Weale and I am one of the founders of Forward Together KLSD, a group formed last winter to encourage all district stakeholders to work collaboratively towards sustainable budget solutions that preserve affordability and excellence.  We started a dialogue in the community and an awareness about these issues and were joined by over 860 community members who signed our petition.

Tonight brings all of us in the KLSD community – taxpayers, students, teachers and staff - a reason to be optimistic about the district’s financial future in a tax-cap environment.  Thank you to all of you who worked so hard to make it happen.

Thank you to the district administration, especially Mike Jumper, for your perseverance in crafting this new agreement with KLDTA. These discussions have lasted for several years and we’re sure you feel much relief.

Thank you to the Board of Education for your patience in facilitating this process and working so hard to reach an agreement that benefits our teachers as well as taxpayers.

Finally, thank you to KLSD teachers who are not only the backbone, but the heart and soul of our schools.  Thank you to KLDTA leadership for working collaboratively to find sustainable financial solutions to KLSD’s current budget reality in a tax cap environment.  May this agreement represent a new era of collaboration – because we are a stronger district and a stronger community when we move FORWARD TOGETHER.