Education

  School districts in Central New York and across the state are wondering just what state aid they’ll receive now that the assembly and senate have rolled out their one-house education budget proposals.  Doctor Rick Timbs says districts are hedging their bets.  He is executive director of the Statewide School Finance Consortium based in the Syracuse area.

  Henninger High School’s principal is just back from a summit at the White House on school discipline.  Rob DiFlorio joined Syracuse City School District Superintendent Sharon Contreras and other school officials to share experiences about suspensions, which are on a dramatic rise nationwide.

“We’ve realized, and the research has been very supportive, suspensions don’t really change students’ behavior.  What can we do to change students’ behavior and maintain safe schools.” 

  Infrastructure might not be Mayor Stephanie Miner’s favorite subject.  But she got to hear about ways to improve water, transportation and other assets from lots of smart minds... as a participant in last week’s Clinton Global Initiative.  Miner heard from other civic leaders and major project financiers that the need for investments is widespread…but the political mood is stalling progress.

  Students applying to Le Moyne College will not need to take the  SAT or ACT going forward. Le Moyne is one of the latest schools to go test-optional for admission.

  A number of candidates have been designated to run for the Green Party ticket in this November’s elections. Howie Hawkins will run for Syracuse City Auditor, Frank Cetera is a 2nd Common Council District hopeful, while Raymond Blackwell is running for the Syracuse City School Board.

Education will be a big issue in 2015, with lines already drawn between teachers at public schools, and Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the charter school movement.

Before the New Year even began, the state’s largest teachers union was already making its displeasure with Governor Andrew Cuomo known, by protesting outside the governor’s mansion.

New York State United Teachers President Karen Magee says teachers are angry over what they see as Governor Cuomo’s increasingly negative view of their union, and the public education system in general.

The November 4 ballot includes an amendment to borrow $2 billion dollars to buy new technology for school children, like I-Pads and other tablets.  Fiscal watchdogs are against it, and the education community has been lukewarm. But with one week left to go before voting day, Governor Cuomo who came up with idea, has finally started to push for it.