FOR RELEASE:  February 1, 2010

CONTACT: David Albert 
 (518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

More than half of school board members say their district would need to lay off teachers based on Gov. David Paterson’s proposed state budget, according to the most recent New York State School Boards Association “Pulse Poll.”

Asked specifically if the governor’s proposal would lead to teacher layoffs in their district, 60 percent of the 407 members who responded said yes, while another 24 percent said they didn’t know yet.

FOR RELEASE:  January 19, 2010

CONTACT: David Albert
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

Governor Paterson must feel like he is caught between a rock and a hard place. While he proposes a painful cut in 2010-11 school aid and further delays a permanent fix of the school funding formula, he accompanies his budget with a recommendation for a much-appreciated moratorium on an expensive set of unfunded mandates.

FOR RELEASE:  January 18, 2010

CONTACT: David Albert 
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

It now appears inevitable that state lawmakers will raise the cap on charter schools so that New York State has the best chance to receive federal Race to the Top funding.

Given this, the question now is whether lawmakers will vote tomorrow on simply raising the cap or enact key reforms needed to improve charter schools, lessen the burden on local school districts, and ensure that charter schools operate with more fiscal accountability.

FOR RELEASE:  January 14, 2010

CONTACT: David Albert 
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

We are pleased that Governor Paterson is restoring the full portion of the payments to school districts that he has withheld.  Based on today’s action, we anticipate that school districts should actually see these payments soon.

FOR RELEASE:  January 11, 2010

CONTACT: David Albert 
 (518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

In an effort to lead New York's education system through the most difficult fiscal climate it has ever faced, the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) has launched a new information and advocacy campaign called "Be the Change for Kids."

Through the website www.bethechangeforkids.org and regional advocacy meetings, NYSSBA will engage school leaders, state and local lawmakers, and the general public to develop innovative ways to overcome a potential funding gap of $2 billion to education when federal stimulus funding expires in two years.

FOR RELEASE:  January 6, 2010

CONTACT: David Albert 
 (518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

Governor Paterson's speech today was short on specifics for education.  Understandably, this tough economic climate makes it difficult to launch major new initiatives.

It is clear that the current system of funding and delivering public education programs and services in New York is unsustainable.  State aid is no longer guaranteed.  Federal stimulus money is ending in 2011.  And with a projected state budget shortfall of $27.5 billion, public education for our schoolchildren is at risk.

For more information, contact:

Carl Korn, NYSUT
(518) 213-6000, ext. 6313
Cell:518-461-7009
e-mail: mediarel@nysutmail.org

Dave Albert, NYSSBA
(518) 783-0200
Cell: 320-2221

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Education groups file lawsuit to block withholding of school aid

ALBANY, N.Y. December 16, 2009 — A broad coalition of education advocates and citizen taxpayers, seeking to protect school programs from elimination, stop employee layoffs and prevent dramatic property tax increases, today filed suit against Gov. David Paterson, saying he acted illegally and unconstitutionally by withholding state funds allocated by the state Legislature for school districts. 

The lawsuit was filed in state Supreme Court in Albany County by New York State United Teachers; New York State School Boards Association; New York State Council of School Superintendents; and the School Administrators Association of New York State. Other education partners, including the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, the New York State Association of School Business Officials and the state PTA, signaled their strong support. 

FOR RELEASE:  December 2, 2009

CONTACT: David Albert 
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

School boards across New York applaud the State Legislature for rejecting mid-year cuts to education, and creating a more cost-effective pension plan for new employees in the state retirement systems. 

Lawmakers in the Assembly and Senate realize the devastating impact that mid-year cuts would have on our schools and children.  As a result of a freeze in state operating aid this year, school boards have already laid off employees, left positions unfilled, and cut programs.  Mid-year state aid cuts on top of this could further erode opportunities for students and drive up local property taxes. 

As school boards work to deliver education more efficiently, creation of a new Tier V will help ease the cost of providing school employees with a public pension.  Lawmakers have helped stem the rising tide of school district retirement costs, which rose 56 percent on average from 2001 to 2006.

FOR RELEASE:  Nov. 16, 2009

CONTACT: David Albert 
 (518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

When David Steiner took over as state education commissioner, he pledged to improve the quality of teaching in New York's public schools. Today’s action by the state Board of Regents is the first step along that road.  The New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) applauds Commissioner Steiner and the Regents for moving quickly on that crucial priority.

FOR RELEASE:  October 21, 2009

CONTACT: David Albert
(518) 783-3716 or (518) 320-2221 cell

School districts are eligible for a share of more than $49 million in competitive funding for clean energy projects. The funding is available through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Proposed projects must fall into one of the following categories: energy efficiency, renewable energy, or alternative fuel vehicles. Applicants are eligible to receive funding up to 100% of the project cost, with a limit of $1,000,000 per applicant.