64 Percent

Every child deserves a quality education, and every educator and school deserves the funding, resources and support to accomplish that important task. After one the most difficult years in our history, where students, parents and teachers had to make tremendous sacrifices to ensure education continued, this is more important than ever. Instead of giving schools the support they need, the Governor’s budget would force them to do more with even less.

Despite claiming an increase in school aid statewide, the opposite is true. This so-called increase is a result of using federal dollars to show a $2.2 billion increase to New York schools. Meanwhile, he’s cutting $2 billion from vital education services. These cuts will impact transportation funding and schools’ abilities to afford BOCES services, making it harder than ever for students in suburban and rural schools to catch the bus or receive the type of specialized education that works best for them.

Of that $2.2 billion increase the Governor is touting, our schools will receive far less than their fair share. The Governor is sending $1.4 billion, or 64 percent, of that to New York City schools. New York City is not home to 64 percent of the student population and should not be getting 64 percent of new aid.

It’s simply unfair that the Governor and the New York City-run Legislature is willing to divert extra money to New York City at the expense of our students and educators. All children, across this state, should be treated as equals and have an equal shot at success. That’s just common sense.

With his budget proposal, the Governor shows he doesn’t understand a simple concept: Our schools should be funded fairly and equally.

Rest assured, I will not support a state budget that shortchanges our children and their future. I plan on working with school administrators, parents and community stakeholders to make our voices heard and ensure our fair share of funding. I know that together, we can show the Governor that New York City schools are not 64 percent more important than our school.