GENESEO — At an education rally last Tuesday, roughly 600 students, parents, community members and educational staff gathered to listen to Dr. Richard Timbs, the executive director of the Statewide School Finance Consortium.
The rally, hosted by Geneseo Central School, focused on the grim reality of schools in the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership.
Timbs explained that the issue doesn’t fall in the amount of money allocated to schools, but rather that it isn’t being distributed fairly enough.
The state’s Gap Elimination Adjustment reduces the amount of aid a district receives. This is leaving most schools in the GVEP with a large budget deficit. The effect from the deficit can, and has, resulted in a loss of student programs and teacher layoffs. Leaving students with less educational opportunities.
In order to eliminate the gap, districts have three options: Use the existing fund balance, cut programs, or cut staff. During the last four years, according to Timbs, all three have been done. Now, he urges everyone to let the Albany lawmakers know that school districts are demanding equity, sufficiency and timeliness.
Dr. Paul Alioto, Dansville Central School District superintendent, said “The system is broken. Kids in schools like Dansville are losing out on opportunities. Mediocrity for our kids is not acceptable.”
Alioto explained his district has lost a school, student programs and 26 teachers over the past few years. A reality, he said, that is a recipe for disaster.
He understands Dansville is just one of the many schools facing the issue of budget funding. Comparing his district to a “domino that is likely to fall.”
“Something is wrong,” he urged. “And we need to fix it now.”
A high stress environment is not ideal for a place where human development takes place, Alioto explained.
Caledonia-Mumford student Aidan Sullivan compared his experience to that of a Pittsford High School student. He explained less opportunities are being presented to him as a public school student.
Audience members were asked to let their voices be heard, “If you don’t, they’ll think you’re on board,” explained Timbs.
Timbs reminded everyone that their children deserve every opportunity to learn. “That’s why we’re here, to take care of those kids,” he said. “We want a better world for them. We’ve got to demand results.”
With the NYS Legislature and Governor Cuomo expected to adopt a final budget this week, Dansville Central School’s Facebook page is urging community members to speak up about the effect the state aid is having on schools like Dansville.
“Our kids can’t be denied more opportunities,” the post reads.
To make your voice heard, visit the Statewide School Finance Consortium at http://ssfc.www.capwiz.com/ssfc/home/ or Dansville Central School’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DansvilleCSD
GENESEO — At an education rally last Tuesday, roughly 600 students, parents, community members and educational staff gathered to listen to Dr. Richard Timbs, the executive director of the Statewide School Finance Consortium.
The rally, hosted by Geneseo Central School, focused on the grim reality of schools in the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership.
Timbs explained that the issue doesn’t fall in the amount of money allocated to schools, but rather that it isn’t being distributed fairly enough.
The state’s Gap Elimination Adjustment reduces the amount of aid a district receives. This is leaving most schools in the GVEP with a large budget deficit. The effect from the deficit can, and has, resulted in a loss of student programs and teacher layoffs. Leaving students with less educational opportunities.
In order to eliminate the gap, districts have three options: Use the existing fund balance, cut programs, or cut staff. During the last four years, according to Timbs, all three have been done. Now, he urges everyone to let the Albany lawmakers know that school districts are demanding equity, sufficiency and timeliness.
Dr. Paul Alioto, Dansville Central School District superintendent, said “The system is broken. Kids in schools like Dansville are losing out on opportunities. Mediocrity for our kids is not acceptable.”
Alioto explained his district has lost a school, student programs and 26 teachers over the past few years. A reality, he said, that is a recipe for disaster.
He understands Dansville is just one of the many schools facing the issue of budget funding. Comparing his district to a “domino that is likely to fall.”
“Something is wrong,” he urged. “And we need to fix it now.”
A high stress environment is not ideal for a place where human development takes place, Alioto explained.
Caledonia-Mumford student Aidan Sullivan compared his experience to that of a Pittsford High School student. He explained less opportunities are being presented to him as a public school student.
Audience members were asked to let their voices be heard, “If you don’t, they’ll think you’re on board,” explained Timbs.
Timbs reminded everyone that their children deserve every opportunity to learn. “That’s why we’re here, to take care of those kids,” he said. “We want a better world for them. We’ve got to demand results.”
With the NYS Legislature and Governor Cuomo expected to adopt a final budget this week, Dansville Central School’s Facebook page is urging community members to speak up about the effect the state aid is having on schools like Dansville.
“Our kids can’t be denied more opportunities,” the post reads.
To make your voice heard, visit the Statewide School Finance Consortium at http://ssfc.www.capwiz.com/ssfc/home/ or Dansville Central School’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DansvilleCSD
