CFE Victory Big Win for Every New York School Child

Court’s ruling will finally force governor to do the right thing

July 16, 2003

Ten years ago, a group called the Campaign for Fiscal Equity filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing that many New York City students were not getting an opportunity for a proper education because the New York State’s school aid formula left city schools underfunded.

Last week, in a victory for the entire state, New York’s highest court ordered the state and city to come up with a plan to reform the school aid formula, agreeing that it left too many students behind. While the ruling focused on New York City schools, the practical result is that we have to ensure that all school districts have the resources to provide their students with a modern-day education.

Some people outside of the New York City area may be concerned that by fixing the school aid formula, our local school districts will suffer. Let me be clear: Our schools will not suffer because of this court ruling. On the contrary, I believe this decision will create a more equitable distribution of state funds, providing all schools with an even amount of resources needed to educate students to the same high standards.

A rational school funding system will not have to play Robin Hood with our schools, but coming up with the right plan would take work – work the Governor has not been willing to do. Rather than fix the system, the Governor spent years fighting the lawsuit and disinvesting in our schools, saying that the state was only obligated to provide kids with an eighth grade education.

Not only is the Governor’s assertion absurd, it undermines our efforts to prepare our children for a 21st century economy. Today’s knowledge-based economy is increasingly dependent on a well-trained workforce possessing high-tech skills. From the burgeoning biotech industry to computer chip development, we need smart students with strong skill sets if we are to succeed. Increasing educational excellence further boosts our ability to compete down the road.

The fact is, we have a lot of work to do across New York. Unfortunately, this work could have already been well on its way had the Governor endorsed the education proposals the Assembly came up with two years ago. Instead, he chose to engage the taxpayers in a pointless court appeal. The Assembly’s two-year education funding plan first proposed in 2001 would have recognized each district’s individualized needs and given them the flexibility to use their funding to meet those needs. It also offered extra help to higher-need districts and took into account the local cost of providing educational services. The Governor dismissed it out of hand.

We have to do more than change the school aid formula. We have to guarantee every child access to pre-K. We have to reduce class sizes for all students. We have to modernize all of our classrooms. We have to make sure each child learns from a well-qualified, well-trained teacher. We need to ensure accountability. Doing those things will take time, commitment, and, yes, money, but for the future of this state, there just isn’t a better investment we could make.

The bottom line is that CFE’s victory gives us the opportunity to build a stronger future for everyone. After all, everyone benefits when our children have access to a better education, translating their knowledge and preparedness into good jobs. All of us benefit when New York lives up to its immense potential. After a decade of waiting – and with no thanks to the Governor – we’ll finally have a better shot at doing all those things.

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