State legislators talk education issues as they tour Fort Plain
schools
District asks representatives to stand up for an equitable
distribution of state aid for schools
 FORT
PLAIN - State Sen. Hugh T. Farley and Assemblyman George Amedore
toured Fort Plain CSD’s buildings on Monday, Nov. 14, and talked
about education issues such as equitable state aid distribution
with Superintendent Douglas C. Burton.
The group—which also
included Fort Plain Board of Education member Jeff Jones and
Hoag Elementary School Principal Cathy Brucker—
toured both schools and the bus garage to see the improvements
made during the recent $17 million capital project.
Mr. Burton gave each legislator a printed sheet detailing the
district’s financial situation.
“We first wanted to thank them and recognize the hard work
they’ve done to maintain state aid for capital building projects
which enabled us to upgrade and modernize our facilities,
providing additional opportunities to our students at no cost to
the taxpayers,” Mr. Burton said.
“If we are going to prepare our students for the 21st century
workplace and college, we need to maintain these efforts and
preserve our state aid. I think they understand our plight and
they are willing to fight for us. And that’s what we need.”
The sheet Mr. Burton gave the legislators stated that the “ugly
truth is that our district may not be able to continue to exist
in four years.” With increases in health benefits averaging 10
to 15 percent each year, retirement system contributions also
rising, and with a tax levy cap in place, it is easier to
project revenue, Mr. Burton stated. However, with state aid
frozen since 2007, the district is forced to tap into its
savings every year in order to make ends meet.
The district outlined its financial situation in three sections:
The problem: Aid distribution is inequitable. "We have
made staffing cuts that other districts have not yet been forced
to. These cuts have resulted in the loss of program for our
students, which will have an impact on our community, our
students, and our economy."
The solution: We need an equitable aid formula for all
districts. "Wealthy districts have more elective programs
than poor districts, and also have greater opportunity to raise
funds locally due to their expansive tax bases. We cannot afford
to become a substandard school for our students."
The action needed: Can the residents of our school district
count on the legislators to refuse to accept any state budget
that does not correct this problem? "Will the legislators
lead their colleagues to do what is right for our students?"
Fort Plain Central School district is one of 15 component
districts of HFM BOCES. HFM BOCES District Superintendent Dr.
Patrick Michel has asked all districts to participate in a
year-round communication campaign to advocate for more equitable
distribution of state aid for education and substantive mandate
relief for schools.
From
www.fortplain.org
|
