Senator Young Lauded For Her Support of Education

ALBANY – The New York State Association of School Business Officials (NYSASBO) this week announced the results of their first annual Legislative Report Cards and Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- 57th District) received high marks.

Senator Young, long a champion of the value of a quality education, received an “A” from the organization with a score of 100.

“High-quality, first class educational opportunities put children on a course for long-term success. A strong educational foundation provides a greater likelihood of economic prosperity and can help lift someone out of poverty. Schools, especially those in the rural communities and high-need cities I represent, require our strongest financial support so that they can provide relief to taxpayers without negatively impacting the services and support the children in their care receive,” said Senator Young. 

“This year, schools in my district received a record amount of funding and we achieved major reforms that will help our teachers, students and parents all see a better education outcome. We all believe in high standards for our students, and the overwhelming majority of teachers are doing an outstanding jobs. For those students, teachers, and school districts who are struggling to perform, our intention has always been to get them the help necessary so that they can turn things around.”

The criteria for the NYSASBO Legislative Report Card included support for school aid in the state budget, a revision to the property tax cap that allow schools to more accurately portray their finances, and a package of legislative initiatives. 

Senator Young said, “I am pleased to have the acknowledgement from NYSASBO and am proud of my record of support for the schoolchildren in the communities I serve. The Senate worked hard in this year’s state budget to reduce the financial impact the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) has on school districts across the state, because it was overwhelmingly the biggest concern brought to us by education officials. We will continue to work to fully eliminate the remaining pieces of the GEA next year, as well as pushing for greater foundation aid, expense driven aid, and high tax aid, all of which will help schools in my district.

Full details on the legislative report card from the organization can be found at: http://www.nysasbo.org/page/press-releases-28/news/nysasbo-issues-2015-legislative-report-card-422.html.