New York State School Boards Association Advocacy Alert

The New York State School Boards Association advocates for mandate relief and awareness that a state budget should take into consideration any proposed property tax cap legislation. In other words, if there is a property tax cap, which will limit revenues from property tax collection, and if mandate relief is not enacted, which would allow schools to reduce their spending on items for which they receive no aid, and if the state and federal aid is reduced, how can a school district balance its budget? NYSSBA reminds  Governor Cuomo and the legislature that something has to give. 

FEBRUARY 16, 2011 EXECUTIVE BUDGET AND STATE AID RUNS On Feb. 1, 2011, Gov. Cuomo presented his executive budget proposal.  That same day NYSSBA prepared an analysis of the proposal.  However, we’ve learned that technical difficulties prevented many of you from receiving NYSSBA’s Analysis of the Executive Budget Proposal.  Since the executive budget was released, NYSSBA has made some additional observations based on the state aid runs: The total statewide reduction in state aid is $1,537,358,767, the largest ever! Statewide, school districts lost an average of $2,274,199 in total aid 636 districts (94.1%) got a cut in total aid. Of the 636 districts that got a cut in total aid, the average cut was $2,459, 163 The average statewide reduction in total aid excluding NYC was $1,510,158  View the analysis and other budget related documents.  BUDGET TESTIMONY Yesterday, NYSSBA Executive Director Tim Kremer and Governmental Relations Director Dave Little presented testimony before the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee, expressing NYSSBA’s concerns over the proposed budget and pointing out areas where school districts are advocating for legislative assistance this session.  The testimony stressed the need for significant mandate relief to accompany any other state action on the proposed budget.  The legislature must also recognize that it cannot act on the budget without putting it into the context of the proposed local property tax cap and the loss of federal aid to schools.  View the testimony. SCHOOL JOB LOSS UNDER A TAX CAP School job losses across the state under a tax cap this year would have totaled 13,022 New York workers.  NYSSBA compared conservative estimates of cost increases in each school district to the fiscal limit that the proposed tax cap would impose on revenues for school districts.  We then divided the shortfall that schools will face under Governor Cuomo’s proposed tax cap by the median teacher salary in each respective school district. The estimated figures reflect the total number of teaching jobs that would be eliminated as a result of the proposed tax cap, broken down by county, senate district and  assembly district.  This calculation does not factor in district reserves that might be available to offset lay-offs, or Governor Cuomo’s proposed aid cut that would increase them.  NYSSBA has provided these charts to your legislators.  View the charts of these figures. FEDERAL RELATIONS NETWORK (FRN) CONFERENCE More than 800 school board members and state association leaders from across the country (including over 80 from New York State) traveled to Washington, D.C. last week to learn about the most current issues in Congress and press their case with their representatives on Capitol Hill.  At the end of the National School Boards Association’s conference, NYSSBA held a briefing for the contingent on the impact of federal issues facing New York State.  NYSSBA also hosted its Annual Congressional Breakfast Forum.  The event took place on Capitol Hill and was attended by NYSSBA’s Board of Directors, FRN appointees and Governmental Relations staff.  Joining us at the breakfast were New York State’s United States Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, as well as Stacey Jordon, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the U.S. Department of Education.  All of our guests had open conversations with the school board members in attendance, fielding a number of questions about the reauthorization of ESEA and comments about the costs and burdens associated with RTTT.  Following the breakfast, FRN appointees fanned out to attend meetings with their schools’ Member of Congress.  Each Representative received a packet of information from NYSSBA outlining the key issues surrounding public education from New York’s perspective. The FRN conference and our lobbying efforts focused on ESEA reauthorization and federal funding.  These two issues will continue to be the main federal priorities for NYSSBA this year.  ESEA reauthorization must provide for an increase in flexibility to local districts and a decrease in the punitive nature of the regulations. NYSSBA strongly urges reauthorization by or before June 30, 2011.  In the case that reauthorization does not occur by the end of June, we will demand the deferment of all sanctions under NCLB.  Federal funding will be essential for school districts, especially under the categories of IDEA and Title I.  The federal government must provide the promised level of funding for these two grant programs in order to ensure that students provided with the services and programs they need.  View more information on the FRN conference and federal issues. STATE ISSUES CONFERENCE In light of the Governor's whopping 7.3 percent proposed cut to state aid to education, it's more important than ever for your school district to send at least one representative to NYSSBA's 2011 State Issues Conference on March 13 and 14th in Albany. Join fellow school board members from across the state to send a clear message about how a state aid cut this large could impact your district. The State Issues Conference registration, meals and materials are provided as a free NYSSBA member service to allow your district to advocate in Albany for your programs and services to students.  It allows your district representative to hear from top state officials on the most pressing issues facing your schools.  Given what’s at stake and NYSSBA’s help, you can’t afford to leave your district unaccounted for in the legislative discussion.  Plan to come and make your voice heard! Already registered?  Look below under "Materials" for information on how to access the latest state publications to review Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget proposal in preparation for your Lobby Day and legislative meetings.  View further information on the State Issues Conference as well register. RESOLUTION KIT LINK NYSSBA’s legislative agenda is developed through a resolutions approval process.  Last year that process was updated to allow greater member influence and provide NYSSBA with timely resolutions that are central to the issues facing public education.  View the resolutions process and to get your copy of NYSSBA’s 2011 Resolutions Kit.