A Time of Change

Our Nation and State have experienced widespread change affecting children and the financial management of our schools. Among these many changes are:

• Proliferation of Federal and State instructional mandates, frequently without sufficient funding for implementation;
• Significant alteration of the make-up and the roles of parents and families has led to expectations that the schools will provide more services for children such as pre-K educational programs and specific programs for children who suffer from abuse and neglect;
• Realization that public schools must address health concerns – lead, radon, asbestos, AIDS and AEDs – placing greater economic strain on already limited financial resources;
• Calls for educational reform at all levels leading to the development of Federal initiatives such as No Child Left Behind. Additionally, the New York State Education Commissioner and Board of Regents Higher Learning Standards and other initiatives aimed at improving student performance;
• Significant economic challenges in New York which have diminished resources and, subsequently, increased taxpayer resistance to the support of education - the requirement to do more with less.

These changes and others take on greater significance when linked to the serious economic challenges this nation faces from abroad, and the realization that our schools must adapt if we are to be competitive in the world market. To accomplish this will require strong fiscal leadership to effectively manage available dollars and stimulate a new era of productivity and progress in public education.