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| Statement by New York State United Teachers on school budget voting results May 19, 2004 "Tuesday's statewide school budget voting demonstrated the vast majority of New Yorkers recognize their public schools are making substantial progress and that education is an investment in children and the state's economic future. "The blame for this year's higher number of school budget defeats can be traced to the state's failure to adequately and equitably fund public education, and to offer clear guidance to school districts on how much state aid they can expect in time for school boards to produce realistic budgets. This year, inaction by state leaders has unfairly shifted the burden of paying for education to local school districts, and students in many places now face an even tougher road to success. "More so than in the past, this year's budget voting also laid bare the glaring inequities in how New York funds its public schools. In a number of high-need, small city and rural districts, school budgets carrying tax increases greater than inflation went down to defeat. On Long Island, voters rebelled not against the fine quality of their public schools, but against their rising property taxes. "New York needs a state education budget that fairly and equitably addresses the needs of all its students in all of its school districts. On top of that, New York needs real leadership - and action - toward resolving the Campaign for Equity case. It's time for our elected leaders to relieve taxpayers of the burden of shouldering so much of the cost of public education, and to be fuller partners in the success that public education is now enjoying." Antonia Cortese NYSUT, the largest union in New York State, represents more than 500,000 classroom teachers and other school employees; academic and professional faculty at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York; and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. News reports from around the state News links are subject to change
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CONTACT: NYSUT Media Relations and Communications. (518) 213-6000, Ext. 6313. E-Mail: mediarel@nysutmail.org. |
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