NYSSBA proposes four steps for state hurricane relief |
On Board Online • November 19, 2012
By David Albert
Director of Communications and Research
NYSSBA is asking state lawmakers to take up four steps to help school districts affected by Hurricane Sandy and other catastrophic events.
For one, NYSSBA is calling on lawmakers to exempt school districts from the 180-day attendance requirement for state aid. While the commissioner of education may waive up to five days, many schools will exceed those five days. In fact, dozens of school districts were closed for multiple days as a result of Sandy.
“While in a perfect world schools would make up lost time, the fact is, that just may not be possible and we should hold those districts harmless from the loss of state aid,” said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy Kremer.
Second, NYSSBA is asking lawmakers to grant school districts the authority to expend money during the 2012-13 school year beyond the limits approved by voters in the 2012-2013 school budget. This is necessary because many districts face unexpected costs such as leasing facilities, making tuition payments to other districts, repairing and replacing school buses, implementing new bus routes and emergency staffing levels.
Third, NYSSBA is seeking to remove restrictions for tapping into dedicated reserve funds – such as capital reserve funds, repair reserve funds, employee benefit accrued liability reserve funds, and tax reduction reserve funds – to help pay unexpected costs associated with Sandy.
Lastly, NYSSBA recommends waiving voter approval requirements for capital expenditures related to storm damage and easing restrictions on borrowing in extraordinary circumstances. “In the immediate aftermath of a crisis, schools must be able to pay contractors for repairs in anticipation of reimbursement from government agencies or insurance carriers,” said Kremer.
On a more long-term basis, NYSSBA believes lawmakers should consider the addition of a new exemption to the tax levy cap for non-capital expenses that are incurred by a school district as a result of a federally declared natural disaster or a state disaster emergency.
“We realize that the governor and lawmakers are reluctant to grant additional exemptions to the tax cap, but if we continue to experience catastrophic storms like Sandy as well as Tropical Storms Irene and Lee, we should adapt our state laws so that schools can respond appropriately in the aftermath,” added Kremer.
He noted that NYSSBA was also vocal last year on behalf of districts affected by Tropical Storms Irene and Lee, and that the Legislature created a $50 million relief fund and provided a waiver for the 180-day requirement.