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CFE pushing a statewide legislative fix Feburary 17, 2005 While all sides eagerly await possible court sanctions in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case, CFE is kicking off a series of public meetings to drum up support for proposed legislation that would provide a statewide solution for school finance. The nine public meetings, slated to begin Feb. 16 in Plattsburgh , are meant to inform the public and garner support for education reform legislation being pushed by CFE and other education advocates. The meetings, called "Schools for New York 's Future," will help parents, students, teachers, advocates and policymakers understand the enormous implications that this legislation could have on their districts. In drafting the bill, CFE, working along with a statewide coalition of organizations, took the special master panel's recommendations, which were New York City-focused, and extended them on a statewide basis. If enacted, the bill will ensure that every district in the state has the resources to provide their children the opportunity for a sound, basic education and an accountability system that guarantees funds are wisely spent. The bill is based on the reform recommendations of special masters appointed by state Supreme Court Justice Leland DeGrasse. The special masters concluded on Nov. 30 that the school aid formula needs a complete overhaul and that an additional $5.6 billion for operating aid and $9.2 billion for facilities is needed to bring New York City schools up to constitutional standards. CFE proposes that all 517 school districts identified by an expert panel as lacking resources should get the funding they deserve. Other districts, CFE maintains, should be held harmless. Other meetings are now scheduled for New York City (March 3); SUNY Geneseo (March 8); Rochester (March 9); Long Island (March 15); and Utica (March 24). Meeting dates for Buffalo , Binghamton and the Capital District have yet to be determined. |
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