Join the Call to Action - No Mid-Year School Aid Cut

The third week of special session may have passed with no agreement on mid-year cuts, but every day that goes by without a deal on a deficit reduction plan presents another opportunity for school aid to wind up on the chopping block.

It's time to make your voice heard. Contact your State Legislator to reinforce how important it is that there be no mid -year cuts in state aid to education. As you know, Governor Paterson has recommended that aid to education be reduced by $686 million for the 2009-2010 school year. The Governor’s Gap Elimination Adjustment will impact every child in New York. It is important that your legislator hear from you on the impact of any mid year budget cuts.

If you are unsure who your district’s state legislators are you can use the New York State Assembly website at http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/ to look up the representative using the zip code. Senate members can be located at http://www.nysenate.gov/ also by using the zip code. Action is need today. Please contact the legislators.

Attached is (1) a sample letter you may consider adapting to your districts needs and (2) a spreadsheet that shows your state aid as a percentage of your 2009=2010 budget.