Welcome to LHEC

Established in 1976, the LHEC is a joint project of the Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents, Dutchess County School Boards Association, Rockland County School Boards Association and Westchester Putnam School Boards Association.  Our mission is to serve as a regional leadership hub in ​public education advocacy.

State Tax Levy Cap

Foundation Aid Formula

The LHEC is advocating for sound adjustments to the Cap by eliminating CPO, creating a workable carryover provision, excluding BOCES capital costs from the calculation, and including PILOTs in tax base growth.

TRS Reserve

The LHEC is advocating for the allowance of a TRS Reserve for districts to help smooth spikes in cost and keep districts at or below the tax levy cap.  We believe this will protect programs and services when revenue is volatile and are asking for equal treatment to all other municipalities.

The LHEC is advocating for retention and improvement of the Foundation Aid Formula to create transparency and greater predictive capacity for districts (but most not create a "winners and losers" scenario.

APPR

The LHEC is advocating for a multiple measurement model within the current APPR, including varied assessments, observations and other tools to benchmark student growth.  This tool should be utilized to evaluate a teacher's effectiveness in a more holistic and professionally acceptable manner.  We recommend the appointment of a committee of coalition educators who have either studied or are deeply familiar with APPR.

Widespread public access to knowledge, like public education, is one of the pillars of our democracy, a guarantee that we can maintain a well-informed citizenry.
​ - Scott Turow

LHEC Membership

LHEC is solely supported by membership dues from school districts in the 4 county reion of the Lower Hudson Valley (Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester).  This year's dues support the development of a strategic planning initiative and the implementation of a regional public education advocacy campaign.  

The LHEC is administered by a nine member Steering Committee, selected by the four sponsoring organizations in accordance with the bylaws.  We are currently working to revamp our organizational structure and communications outreach.