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Funding boost for specialized schools Feburary 3, 2005 The governor's budget brings hope to educators in the state's Special Act, 853 and 4201 schools, where staff turnover and inadequate funding are chronic problems. Responding to concerns voiced by teachers and their statewide union, Gov. Pataki has included $2 million in targeted aid to help Special Act and 853 Schools prevent staff turnover. Pataki's budget proposal calls for $2 million for 2005-06 as "targeted special education teacher salary supplement" to help the Special Act and 853 schools attract new teachers and prevent excessive turnover of teaching staff. In addition to the funding to improve teacher salaries, Pataki called for uncommitted federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funds to be made available to increase the number of appropriately certified teachers in these schools. New York State United Teachers represents members at many of these specialized schools funded by the state. In other good news in the executive budget, the governor proposed an increase in state aid for the 4201 Schools (eight private schools for the deaf, two private schools for the blind and the Henry Viscardi School on Long Island for children with multiple disabilities). For 2005-06, the schools would be funded at $108.21 million, an increase of $2.54 million. "Our biggest issue is money and a lack of state funding," said Gloria Llewellyn, president of the Mill Neck Manor Educational Association, which serves hearing-impaired students. "We're losing a lot of younger staff. It's tough unless you have somebody really committed to working with the deaf and committed to working for a smaller salary. There have been many years we haven't gotten a pay increase." The Nassau County local represents about 90 teachers, teaching assistants, social workers, guidance counselors, audiologists, Spanish interpreters, sign language interpreters and media specialists. NYSUT staffers are analyzing the ramifications of Pataki's proposal to transfer the Deaf Infant program to the Department of Health. |
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