New Paltz Central School District

New Paltz Community Called to Action

Your voices are needed in Albany. Please take a moment to review details of these two very important causes. Our children have the right to a sound, basic education as written in our New York State Constitution, and communities deserve financial support of their schools to help offset the expense of countless unfunded New York State Education mandates. Action by our elected State leaders is needed to protect these rights. Please join these efforts by taking action today.  

Governor Cuomo Needs to Release State Aid Runs for Budget Development
An unprecedented omission of school State Aid distribution in this year’s proposed Executive Budget has left school districts struggling with where to begin in the 2015-16 school budget development process. 

Not having access to State Aid runs until at least April 1 severely hinders a school district’s ability to formulate a proposed budget and tax levy, and essentially omits the opportunity for transparency and public input into that process.

The development and adoption of school district budgets are the most democratically open processes in New York State government. The lack of an aid formula or projected school aid runs has hindered the ability of schools to perform this basic, democratic function.

Join us in calling for the Governor to Release the State Aid runs so schools and communities can engage in a thoughtful decision-making process as they develop their proposed school budgets for the 2015-2016 school year. 

http://www.capwiz.com/nyscoss/issues/alert/?alertid=64046441

Petition Urges Fair Funding for Our Schools by Ending the GEA

Please join a countywide advocacy effort organized by the Ulster County School Boards Association Legislative Action Committee calling for our State leaders to provide fair and equitable funding for our schools by restoring aid and ending the Gap Elimination Adjustment. The following petition will be delivered to the Board of Regents, the New York State House, the New York State Senate, and Governor Andrew Cuomo.  To sign the petition, go to: http://bit.ly/14XJhoh

What is the GEA? 

In 2008 the State of New York enacted a Deficit Reduction Act which was designed to take a portion of State Aid from each New York State school district in order to assist in closing the State's budget deficit. During the first few years, Race to the Top money from the Federal government, which was intended to assist school districts through the great recession, covered the cost to the district. Three years later, when the Federal government’s RTTT money stopped flowing, the State of New York continued to close its deficit through reduced aid by enacting the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) Act. THERE IS NO LONGER A STATE DEFICIT! This year the State has a $4.2 billion surplus. The GEA hurts schools, who are forced to make up the lost aid through program reductions or the tax levy. If the GEA is eliminated, New Paltz could see $1.4 million a year in aid restored. 

Learn more about the GEA by watching this two and a half minute video: http://bit.ly/1C1Elut