To the editor:
The Cazenovia School District is facing the grim reality that we will be short-changed again this year in the state budget that has been proposed by Governor Cuomo. We need help from the community to let our elected representatives know that they need to fight the inequality of school funding and insist that the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) is fully eliminated this year.
Since the enactment of the GEA, the Cazenovia School District has lost more than $7 million dollars in state aid. The GEA was introduced in 2009 as a short term “fix” to the state budget crisis. Today, thanks to the economic recovery and the financial settlement with the Wall Street banks that triggered the recession, the state’s coffers are in surplus. So, why does the GEA remain? Why has Governor Cuomo proposed a two year phase out of a mechanism that is no longer needed?
Even more baffling is that Governor Cuomo has devoted less than half of the $434 million remaining (only $189 million) to GEA restoration this year. Guess how much has been allocated to the Cazenovia School District — only $198,000 of the $568,000 owed to the district.
We as taxpayers, parents, teachers and home owners cannot sit by and accept this. A vibrant school district is the cornerstone to an economically sound community. It provides opportunities for students, attracts new families to the district and helps maintain property values. We all have a vested interest in telling our elected representatives to advocate for our students and our community.
Please contact Senator Valesky, Assemblyman Magee and Governor Cuomo to voice your concern over the inequity of school funding and ask for their full support for the total elimination of the GEA this year.
The Cazenovia School District Website (cazenoviacsd.com) has information and templates that you can use to contact our representatives and express your opinion. Please take action today to prevent Cazenovia from being short-changed again this year.
I also invite the community to attend the School Board Budget Workshop on Thursday, March 10, and future Board of Education meetings to hear about our budget development process and provide input.
LISA LOUNSBURY, MEMBER
CAZENOVIA BOARD OF EDUCATION
