Taking a Look at Stuyvesant’s Budget

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stuyvesant’s annual budget has been reinforced with additional funding from the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE). A portion of the budget is dedicated to ensuring the safety of students and staff in the building, all the more necessary with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), or the COVID-19 Stimulus Package, was passed in March 2021 as a response to the financial consequences of the pandemic. The NYCDOE thus increased funding for public schools, supporting Stuyvesant’s budget further. “The NYCDOE received funding support via the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to help schools meet a wide range of needs arising from the coronavirus pandemic, including activities and interventions that respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented student subgroups,’” Principal Seung Yu said in an e-mail interview.

The decisions regarding the increased budget are a collaborative effort between Yu and various constituents. “We work with our budget [director] from the borough office who provides operational support and guidance for how we can allocate our funding,” Yu said. “We work with the [Student Leadership Team] to make sure the budget is aligned with the [Comprehensive Education Plan].”

Aside from NYCDOE funding, Stuyvesant’s Parents Association (PA) provides additional support for Stuyvesant financially. “As the PA develops its own budget, we consult with Principal Yu and others so that we can understand the school’s priorities, and determine to what extent the PA is able to support those priorities,” PA First Vice President Laura Parkin said in an e-mail interview.

The PA provides for a wide array of things not included in the DOE funding allocation. “[The raised] money gets spent on school activities, academics, and equipment that the school can’t afford based on its budget, or is outside what the NYCDOE would pay for,” Parkin said. “For example, the PA provides funds to PSAL, the Robotics team, and Speech and Debate. The PA also funds college prep and internships support and pays for language labs, robotics equipment, art supplies, and books by new and diverse authors that aren’t available on the DOE site. Last year, we funded new violins.”

Stuyvesant’s Alumni Association, an organization of past graduates of Stuyvesant, who work to improve the school and help current students, provides financial assistance to Stuyvesant as well. Their money comes from various donations as well as from the members of the association. Stuyvesant has to accommodate the COVID-19 pandemic in its budget, as extra safety measures must be taken. This necessary funding is provided by the DOE and goes to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

Overall, the PA is happy to support the school. “The PA is absolutely delighted to partner with the school to help them provide the richest possible experience for Stuy students, and we can only do this because of the generosity, in both time and money, of Stuy families,” Parkin said.