New York State Senator John Brooks (D-Seaford), Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre (D-Wheatley Heights), and Senator Phil Boyle (R-Bay Shore) learned that the New York State Department of Education has officially appointed Albert Chase as the State Fiscal Monitor for the Wyandanch Union Free School District. Earlier this year, the three lawmakers sponsored and passed legislation authorizing the appointment of a fiscal monitor to oversee Wyandanch Schools following patterns of financial mismanagement and the district’s adoption of a contingency budget for the 2019-2020 school year, which resulted in cuts to critical services heavily relied upon by Wyandanch schoolchildren.

“Today is a new day for the Wyandanch School District and the children and families throughout the Wyandanch community,” said Jean-Pierre. “I am confident that Mr. Chase’s wealth of experience will help this district move in a positive direction so that our schoolchildren can receive the educational resources they need to unlock their full potential. I would like to thank Commissioner Tahoe and her entire staff at the Department of Education as well as Governor Cuomo and his staff for working tirelessly with us to ensure that these needed changes would become a reality, and I look forward to working with Mr. Chase and the school district in the weeks and months to come.”

“I am pleased by Mr. Chase’s selection and encouraged that all parties have been able to come together in this decision,” said Senator Brooks. “This appointment represents a new beginning for the students of Wyandanch School District and I look forward to working together with all stakeholders as we move forward. I am extremely grateful to Governor Cuomo, Interim Commissioner Tahoe, and my colleagues in the State Legislature whose time, effort, and caring allowed necessity to become progress.”

“Even in the throes of this unprecedented global crisis, Wyandanch School District has something to celebrate today with the appointment of Albert Chase as their Fiscal Monitor,” said Senator Boyle. “When my legislative colleagues, Senator Brooks and Assemblymember Jean Pierre, and I first promoted legislation to create a Fiscal Monitor to assist Wyandanch, someone of Mr. Chase’s caliber was exactly the type of person we envisioned filling the role. We look forward to working with him, and all community stakeholders, to make Wyandanch schools truly exceptional facilities for our students to learn!”

As required by the recently enacted legislation, the State Monitor will provide oversight, guidance and technical assistance related to the fiscal policies, practices and decisions of the district, the board and the superintendent.

“At the heart of everything we do is ensuring the well-being of our students,” Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. “Albert Chase’s appointment as fiscal monitor will help the Wyandanch school district get its finances and governance in order for the benefit of the district’s students.”

“Throughout his long career, Albert Chase has worked as a school business official in several Long Island districts and he will work diligently alongside Department staff to begin a turnaround in Wyandanch,” Interim Commissioner Shannon Tahoe said. “Senator Brooks and Assemblymember Jean-Pierre should be commended for their tireless advocacy for improvement and change in the district to build toward academic and fiscal strength.”

The monitor’s duties will include attending all board meetings, including executive sessions; developing a financial plan and an academic improvement plan by November 1st in conjunction with the board of education; reviewing all budgets and submitting them annually to the Education Commissioner for approval; assisting in resolving disputes and conflicts among the board of education, its members and the superintendent; and overseeing deficit financing which was included in the legislation.

Mr. Chase brings 40 years of experience in managing district operations to the State Monitor position, most recently serving as the Interim Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations for the Long Beach City School District and the Interim School Business Official for the Island Park Union Free School District prior to that. Mr. Chase received his bachelor’s degree from Queens College, his MBA in Finance from St. John’s University and his School District Administrator and School Business Administrator Certificates from CUNY’s Graduate School of Education.