In commentary for WAMC Public Radio's "Midday Magazine," NYSUT president Andrew Pallotta calls on lawmakers in Albany to fully fund New York's public schools.
If you make a promise, you should keep it.
We can all agree on that, right?
Well, New York State has promised for more than a decade to fully fund its public schools.
In fact, Albany is under court order to do so.
State aid to public schools has increased substantially since the end of the Great Recession. We credit lawmakers and the governor for making that greater investment. Still, the truth is that state funding levels are still far short of where they need to be – and what was promised.
More than $4 billion dollars short.
As we prepare for the upcoming legislative session and budget, I throw that cold, hard fact out there because the needs of public schools are real.
You can read and listen to the complete commentary at WAMC.org - and learn more about the State Education Department's recent funding request and the Educational Conference Board's report and school aid recommendations.