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.  In 2024 the organization expanded to include Orange County. Our mission is to serve as a regional leadership hub in ​public education advocacy.
 ADVOCACY PRIORITIES 

Legislative Advocacy

The LHEC is advocating for:
  • Pre-K Funding - Consolidation of Pre-K funding streams, increased per pupil rates in areas adjacent to NYC, & inclusion of inflation factors in per-pupil rates to promote equitable access.
  • Use of Reserves - Increased flexibility in the use of reserves would facilitate planning for long-term expenses, such as other post-employment benefits (OPEB).
  • No Voucher Program - The strength of public schools depends upon NYS declining to participate in the OBBBA voucher program.
  • Charter Applications - The charter application approval process needs to be changed to provide accountability.
  • Foundation Aid - A district-specific modeling of the Rockefeller Institute's recommendations needs to be completed and a Foundation Aid Review Commission needs to be established to re-evaluate cost-drivers, student needs, and regional factors.
  • Save Harmless - This policy needs to be maintained and all districts should receive a sufficient minimum increase each year.
  • Special Act School Districts (SASDs) - Tuition needs to be received promptly and rates need to be set equitably. SASDs also need to reserve their authority through agency information sharing.
  • Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) - Efficiencies are needed so that BOCES can continue to be a key source of educational programs in career and technical education (CTE), special education, and adult education throughout the state.
  • Cost Relief - A statewide Mandate Relief Redesign team would ensure transparency for new mandates.
  • Mental Health & Safety - An expense-driven aid stream for mental health, partnerships with community mental health providers, and flexible funding for safety (including staffing, infrastructure, & cybersecurity) would increase student success.
  • Preparing for the future - Funding for climate-resilient capital improvements, deferral of the EV bus implementation, flexibility in school calendars and transportation rules, and modifications to election procedures would help schools prepare for long-term challenges.