Statement From Robert Lowery; Deputy Director Of the NYS Council Of School Superintendents

ALBANY, NY (11/25/2008)(readMedia)-- "We have been advising school district leaders for months about the state's deteriorating fiscal outlook and its possible consequences on the state's aid to education. Many districts have already acted to reduce their spending. The mid-year cuts the Governor proposed two weeks ago indicated the severity of the state's budget problems even more clearly than his letter to superintendents and board presidents today.

The Governor invited school district leaders to make suggestions on how to improve the state's education system and how it is funded. We will encourage our members to share their recommendations and to tell the Governor about the actions they are taking to reduce costs, and how the state can support their local efforts.

We cannot evaluate the possible impacts of cuts to other areas of the state budget, or how they might compare to whatever schools face. What we can say, however, is that recent state aid increases have helped school leaders reduce the need for local tax increases and improve opportunities for children. We have seen broad gains in state test results and some improvements in graduation rates. Reductions in state aid would make sustaining that progress more difficult."

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