Districts Like HCS Hit Hardest by State Cuts

RFH 2010, HCS News

Sun, Apr 25, 2010

HCS -- like others in Madison County and most of those in Upstate -- is among the hardest hit when state aid is cut.

A new study by a statewide organization found that Madison County schools combined will experience state aid cuts 49 percent above the state average. Nearby Oneida will suffer 26 percent higher cuts than the state average; Chenango, 27 percent. In fact, schools in only nine other counties will take bigger hits than Madison County.

This equates to a funding loss for Madison County schools of $1,555 per student.

And, not surprisingly, this concerns HCS Superintendent Dr. Diana Bowers.

"Equity does not exist in state aid funding," said Bowers. "This adds insult to injury."

See the chart of county-by-county cuts.

The recent study by the Statewide School Finance Consortium makes clear that in equity. A news release from the consortium explains:

"The state's school aid formula discriminates against less wealthy Upstate communities and unfairly favors wealthier districts, primarily Downstate. Why should people care? New York's school funding inequities, which have made Upstate schools and communities less competitive for decades, will do even more damage in 2010 and 2011."

Gov. David Paterson included $1.4 billion in state aid funding in his proposed 2011-2011 budget, which has yet to be approved.

And, now, it appears that state funding for schools will take yet another hit

When the state ended its 2009-10 fiscal year March 31, it had a general fund balance of $2.3 billion ... because Paterson delayed $2.9 billion in payments to schools and other organization That means, the state now owes schools like HCS $4 billion June 1, but because of continued budget problems, that amount could be short by $1 billion.

Bowers said she and others "... implore our legislators to advocate for us. There needs to be equity throughout the state."

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