Students in Catharine Taylor’s first grade class at Burton Street Elementary School received some surprise mail recently — from New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo, State Senator David Valesky and State Assemblyman Bill Magee.

The three officials all wrote responses to letters sent by Taylor’s 25 students, mailed in early February, in which the students asked Cuomo, Valesky and Magee to restore Cazenovia’s state school aid funding to this year’s state budget.

The students’ letters, written as part of a class unit on persuasion, make statements such as, “Please give us our money back that you took for five years,” written by Kaiden Widrick, and “Please give our school some money, please. Please don’t say no. I hope you say yes,” written by Jeffrey Streator.

Cazenovia has had more than $6 million in state aid withheld in the past five years due to the Gap Elimination Adjustment legislation, and this year’s state education aid has yet to be announced. If Cazenovia receives less of a state aid increase than it did last year, the district may have to cut programs in order to make the budget balance, officials have repeatedly said.

“Thank you for your letters. I am encouraged to know that young people are taking an active interest in state government,” Cuomo wrote to the first graders. “It is an exciting time to be governor. As you may know, our state is facing many challenges, but we have a great opportunity to bring all New Yorkers together to work towards a better future.”

While Cuomo’s letter did not actually say anything about state education funding or GEA policy, both Valesky’s and Magee’s did.

“I have had many conversations with your district superintendent, members of the Cazenovia Board of Education, administrators, teachers and parents about this issue. I have made it a priority to work to ensure that state aid is distributed fairly among school districts this year,” Valesky wrote. “I appreciate your commitment to your education and your willingness to stand up in support of your school. Keep working hard on your school work, and an extra thank you to Ms. Taylor for encouraging you to become involved and active citizens.”

Magee also assured the students that education funding has been on his agenda.

“Your comments and thoughts are noted and understood,” Magee wrote. “During the last few weeks I have attended school district meetings in an attempt to meet with parents, teachers and students. The attendance has been outstanding and the message to Albany is abundantly clear, we need to address Common Core, do away with Gap Elimination and work on Foundation funding for our schools.”

Taylor said her students were thrilled to receive response letters from Cuomo, Valesky and Magee.

“The children were out of this world! They were overjoyed. The power of the written word is amazing!” Taylor said.

“We are proud of the work that Ms. Taylor is doing with her kids and proud of the children,” said Cazenovia Superintendent Matt Reilly. “And we are so pleased that our legislators and governor are recognizing the good works of our students and our teachers.”

Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].