Restore Education Funding (R.E.F.)
“Real Answers to Real Questions: School Funding and Taxes” event coming up Thursday, March 1st from 7-8:30 pm at the Nyack Center. Please read attached flyer on this event. FINALREF_flyer
Restore Education Funding (R.E.F.) event we have worked on the past few months. A flier about the “Real Answers to Real Questions: School Funding and Taxes” event coming up Thursday, March 1st from 7-8:30 pm at the Nyack Center is attach
Reasons why you should support this event.
Not only will you learn, but also your presence will signal to our NYS Senators and Assemblypersons, all of whom have committed to being in attendance, that you want them held accountable for their stated commitment to education. They have told us that it is very important to hear from their constituents – but implied in this encouragement is the implication that if many people do not attend, it’s a signal that their past actions are acceptable to the people. They are not.
Here’s why: Nyack Schools have a 1/2 million dollar budget deficit this year — the latest in a succession of state funding cuts to public schools. This same year, 2012, the top 3% of income earners in NYS got a net tax break of $3 Billion! – This problem will compound each year unless and until people say “enough!” The $3 Billion revenue shortfall must be made up either by tax increases on the other 97% of us – OR – by reducing the funding of schools (supposedly to show voters that Albany is “getting tough on wasteful spending”. We obviously know which choice they made.
But how did Cuomo and the Legislature get the idea that by cutting back on school funding, local communities would somehow identify and cut the actual waste. And by the way…since when are all rising costs waste? Can local boards of education tell private health insurance companies that their premium increases on the policies of our teachers are wasteful and unnecessary?
In Nyack, 30 educators were let go just last year and the average class size in Nyack is now growing. NYS is linking future state aid to competitive grants and teacher evaluation systems that will force even more of a “teach to the test” atmosphere, and it will cost more money to purchase and grade these tests.
Decisions are being made in Albany now that will set a path for the future regarding school funding, the number of required standardized tests, class sizes, the availability of sports, arts, music and more. Public Education will offer less, and at lower quality, if NYS does not work to find real solutions instead of making decisions based on political pressures.As a resident and stakeholder, and as the dad of twin 9-year olds at Liberty Elementary here in Nyack, I was saddened to see so few people of color attending a meeting on our school budget problems held about two weeks ago at the Nyack Center, despite the fact that Nyack and its schools have a substantial minority population, and many if not the vast majority of them have no viable option available to send their kids to private schools.
I ask that you personally make a commitment to attend this event, and bring at least one other person with you. Also please share this message and the attachment with any and all members of the NAACP and other organizations which could help alert persons of color living in our community to the urgency of attending this meeting. I truly believe all who attend will learn vital information about issues directly affecting the future of public education in Nyack and New York State.
This issue impacts not only parents, but all residents of Nyack and Valley Cottage. There is free childcare for those who need it, so just let me know, and we will plan appropriately. There also will be Spanish and Creole translation.
Nyack NAACP 