|
|
|
|
|
The Fight for Equitable School Funding
By Mike Ford, Superintendent of Phelps-Clifton Springs Central Schools
|
In 1993, a group of folks who founded a not-for-profit organization, The Campaign for Fiscal Equity, filed a lawsuit in State Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of New York State's education funding system. This New York City based coalition sued the state as they believed the children who were educated in the New York City public schools were being deprived of a "sound, basic education" due to the inequitable funding that was provided to their school district by the State of New York.
As has been well documented in the press, The Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) has won their case in the courts. In the coming weeks, the judge in the case is expected to demand the State of New York to increase state funding to the New York City schools by more than five billion dollars over the next four years, in addition to providing them with more than nine billion dollars for new and renovated facilities.
Does this matter to us in the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District? You bet it does. I believe this is the most important matter facing our school today. As a resident of our school district, you know our tax rates are higher than many other districts, yet our students lack some of the services and programs of most districts in our region. Something is clearly wrong with the formula that determines state aid to school districts. The CFE situation has the potential to provide this school district with an important solution.
Mike Renne, our Business Administrator, and I have been very actively involved with the staff of The Campaign for Fiscal Equity for nearly a year. We are working with them to develop a statewide solution to this flawed formula. It will require legislation be introduced and passed in both the New York State Assembly and Senate. Such legislation would require the state to provide school districts with the funds necessary to provide a "sound, basic education."
The same study that was used to determine that the New York City public schools should receive more than five billion dollars over the next four years has determined that we are in need of an additional 41.3 percent additional aid. This would provide approximately ten million dollars annually to our school district. Indeed, this study determined that our school district was in greater need of additional funding than New York City
Such funding would allow us to reduce the tax rate, add programs and services, and reduce class sizes. The impact would be dramatic for our residents and our students.
During the coming months you will be asked to contact our elected officials in Albany. We need the support of Assemblyman Brian Kolb and Senator Mike Nozzolio, each of whom has proven to be strong supporters of our schools in the past. They and their colleagues in Albany control our destiny.
I will keep you apprised of our efforts and how you can help through mailings, our website, and through the media in the next few months. I promise we will do all we can as a district gain this funding. I hope I can count on you to assist us in this endeavor.
|
|
|
Click On Banner For More Information
|
