SLATER CALLS ON HOCHUL TO REIMBURSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR STATE-MANDATED MASCOT CHANGES

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to fully reimburse the Mahopac Central School District and other school districts across New York for costs incurred complying with the State Education Department’s Native American mascot mandate, following reports that the state is reconsidering certain restrictions on Indigenous imagery.

In a letter to the governor, Slater highlighted the estimated $600,000 cost to the Mahopac Central School District associated with the mandated mascot change, arguing that local taxpayers should not be forced to shoulder the financial burden of decisions imposed by Albany.

“Mahopac was forced to spend approximately $600,000 complying with a state mandate, money that could have gone directly into our classrooms, improved school safety or provided much-needed property tax relief,” said Slater. “Now, after districts have already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, the state is suggesting some of these decisions should be left to local communities. That is unacceptable.”

“Gov. Kathy Hochul and Albany bureaucrats forced Mahopac to spend well over $600,000 complying with a hyper-political unfunded mandate that is now being rolled back. If that’s not failed, feckless leadership—then I don’t know what is,” said Tanner McCracken, former school board member. 

Recent reports indicate the State Education Department is recommending that certain decisions regarding Indigenous imagery on employee clothing be returned to local school districts. While the recommendation does not repeal the underlying mandate, Slater argues it reinforces longstanding concerns about Albany’s interference in local decision-making.

In January 2023, Slater joined Assemblyman Anil Beephan in raising concerns with the State Education Department about the financial consequences of the mandate, urging officials to preserve local control and provide state funding for any required changes. Despite those warnings, districts were required to comply or risk losing state education funding.

In his letter, Slater called on the Hochul administration to establish a reimbursement program covering documented compliance costs, provide funding without reducing existing Foundation Aid or other educational resources and direct the State Education Department to review the remaining regulations to restore appropriate local decision-making authority.

“Regardless of where someone stands on school mascots, the principle here is simple: If Albany mandates it, Albany should pay for it,” Slater continued. “Our schools should be focused on educating students, not finding ways to pay for unfunded mandates handed down by unelected bureaucrats. The state created this expense, and the state needs to take responsibility.”

Slater is requesting a written response from the governor outlining how her administration intends to reimburse affected school districts and address the financial impact of the mandate on local taxpayers should policy be changed.