Education

CNY Advocates, Senate Democrats Push for Additional Education Aid in State Budget

WAER | By Scott Willis

Published March 1, 2019 at 5:34 PM EST

The Alliance for Quality Education brought its education equality tour to Syracuse Friday to highlight student needs as the governor and legislature enter the final month of budget negotiations.

AQE executive director Billy Easton was joined by community leaders and elected officials at the Northeast Community Center. He says the governor's plan falls short.

"He proposed what sounds like a lot of money...$1 billion total increase in school aid statewide. But when you have 2.7 million school children, that doesn't go that far. When you have so much poverty as you've heard about in Syracuse and in many districts across the state, when you have so many languages, students who speak English as a second language, when you have students with disabilities, all of these factors cost more money."

That's why they're calling for $2 billion in additional education aid. Senator Rachel May's district includes school districts with various needs.

"There are needs in so many districts, whether they be urban, suburban, or rural. This also isn't an upstate versus downstate issue. We are all fighting for adequate funding for our kids."

Sens. Rachel May of Syracuse and Robert Jackson of Manhattan join hands in unity for education funding. Jackson sued the state as a parent for violating student's constitutional right to a sound, basic education. The 2007 Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit as it's known resulted in the Foundation Aid Formula. It's been largely ignored by governors and lawmakers ever since. Also pictured are Peter Knoblock of ACTS, left, and Common Council President Helen Hudson.

But Peter Knoblock seemed to disagree, saying there is a clear funding disparity between some districts here and the New York City area. He's with the Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse, or ACTS.

"I think it's unconscionable that there are districts in downstate New York that are getting $30,000 per pupil. Syracuse gets something like $17,000. If you believe in fairness, let's pay attention to the fair funding formula and get it changed."

In addition to the typical budget allocation, the advocates say, and the Board of Regents agree, that schools are owed even more under the Foundation Aid Formula. That was the result of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit of 2007. The total amount statewide is $4.1 billion, and Syracuse's share is $45 million. Elsewhere in May's 53rd district, she says North Syracuse is due $11 million, Liverpool $6 million, Canastota $2.2 million, and Onedia $1 million. Advocates agree with the Board of Regents plan to allocate $1.6 billion this year, and the rest over the next two years. Governor Cuomo has set aside $383 million.