Pictured above, Assemblyman Curran with the first grade class at Brooklyn Avenue School in Valley Stream
“The problem we face is that our school aid keeps getting cut by the state.” said Curran. “Without serious mandate relief or fair school funding, the money our families will be saving from the recently enacted tax cut will be needed to support our schools. We’ve been having great success providing homeowners with tax relief through the Middle Class Tax Cut and the two percent cap on property taxes that we passed last year. However, all that positive momentum is being spent on supporting our local schools due to unfair Albany math and the ever-increasing cost of education. The mandate relief promised with these positive measures isn’t enough. Our communities and schools need more help.”
This year, the governor proposed 4.1 percent more school aid statewide, a portion of which is meant to help restore school districts after last year’s cuts. Unfortunately, under the governor’s proposal, the local school districts share falls well below 4.1 percent, and some actually see a decrease. Nassau County is still being affected by cuts from the past two years. Last year, the Lynbrook school district’s school aid was cut by $534 per pupil, and this year will be restored only $5 per pupil; Rockville Centre was cut by $476 per pupil and will only receive a restoration of $5 per pupil.
Curran further noted that Nassau School districts may suffer more if the teacher’s union does not adopt a teacher evaluation system. There is nearly a billion dollars of federal education funding that will not be available to New York without a statewide evaluation system. Governor Cuomo said he will mandate an evaluation system if the teacher’s union can’t come to a consensus by the end of the week.
“Long Island residents, especially residents in Nassau County, are being forced to pay the price for the state’s education system. We have great schools in this county, but we deserve to get our fair share of aid. Our children should not have to suffer due to politically-biased school funding from Albany,” said Curran. “Nassau County deserves a fair share of funding and can count on my voice to bring back school aid parity.”
“I enjoy visiting our local schools and meeting with the students and teachers. Education is truly an investment in the future of New York State,” said Curran. “With proper funding and successful programs, our children will graduate with a first-rate education and the drive to create jobs in our communities.”
Please contact Assemblyman Curran’s office in Lynbrook with any local or state concerns at 516-561-8216, or email him at curranb@assembly.state.ny.us.