FIGHT FOR FAIR FUNDING (FORMULA FOR STATE AID)

The State of New York is in the process of deciding how to rework the formula for State Aid to schools. We want them to hear from the residents of our District. This has been an ongoing battle for our District. We need to let our representatives know our needs: high numbers of ESL students, large numbers of low income families. Many of these issues are historical issues. See the history of our efforts over the past few years below:

MARCH 3, 2004 was a VIRTUAL LOBBYING DAY sponsored by the ALLIANCE FOR QUALITY EDUCATION. Residents wrote letters, made phone calls and visited Albany.

April 27, 2004 was RIVERHEAD'S DAY IN ALBANY- On Tuesday, April 27, 2004, there was an opportunity for the residents, students, teachers, and administrators from the Riverhead Central School District to rally in Albany and lobby the legislators to increase the State Aid to the Riverhead School District. Three bus loads of teachers, students, parents, PTO members and administrators took up the challenge and traveled to Albany to explain their frustration of being between a rock and a hard place in their attempts to meet the needs of our schools during a time of rapid growth, higher standards and the demands of more testing. They explained that our classrooms are overcrowded, kindergarten aides have been cut, the high school is over capacity, and shared a litany of other needs concerning the costs to our taxpayers. They reminded the legislators of the need for our students to remain competitive if they are going to be able to obtain their dreams for their future. The hope is that the upcoming change in the formula for State Aid will be fairer to our district than the previous one that only gives the district 20+% of state aid in spite of a low median household income.

Chanel 12 News: "Riverhead is one of many Long Island school districts facing huge cutbacks if state officials do not increase their contributions to the school budgets. Such cutbacks would include special needs programs, art, music classes, librarians, and extremely overcrowded classrooms." ABOVE: Picture from Channel 12 NEWS of some of the students who traveled on the bus to Albany. Click HERE to see the Chanel 12 News coverage of the Albany bus trip.

DRAW YOUR DREAM - Elementary students in the District were invited to DRAW THEIR DREAMS for their lives. Prizes and gift certificates will be given. This is part of the Alliance for Quality Education's effort to let our legislators know that our children's dreams are precious and that they play a part in helping children realize their dreams.


SAMPLE LETTER FROM THE DISTRICT (below) - June 30, 2004 was the first deadline set by the courts. Here is a sample letter issued by the Board of Education/District Administration for an appeal for additional State Aid to our District. (More Legislative addresses.)

The Letter was as follows:

Date

Courtney Hayden
Legislative Committee Assistant
Assembly Committee on Education
Room 513 – Capital
Albany, NY 12234
E-MAIL: hayden@assembly.state.ny.us
(518) 455-4881
FAX: (518) 455-4128

Dear Members of the Assembly Standing Committee on Education,

As a taxpayer and resident of the Riverhead Central School District, located in Eastern Suffolk County, I remain extremely concerned regarding the funding of education.

The Riverhead Central School District continues to be underfunded, receiving approximately 29 percent of its funding from the State.

The average median income in the Town of Riverhead is approximately $45,000. Yet, as a result of the large amount of farmland and other land designated as preserved for purposes of environmental protection (i.e., the Pine Barrens), located within the boundaries of our school district, the state formulas inaccurately portray us as a wealthy community. We are all painfully aware that the reverse is true. Forty-two percent of our students are on free and reduced lunch. Many of the children attending our schools are living at or below the poverty level.

The school district is in drastic need of support from the State. Our schools, particularly the high school, are crowded. Riverhead High School is currently operating at approximately 110 percent capacity. Our other facilities are aging and in need of repair. In fact, a recent facilities study indicates that it will cost as much as $31 million just to bring our facilities up-to-date.

The students of our school district deserve the same quality education as those students fortunate to reside in wealthier communities in our County and State.

I urge you to ensure that all students in our school district and State are provided this opportunity. Please make certain that the funding of education:

1. Includes a regional cost adjustment to provide for the high cost of living on Long Island.
2. Takes into account the income of the taxpayers and their ability to pay.
3. Provides districts with the funds necessary to maintain appropriate up-to-date facilities.
4. Provides school districts with the funds necessary to provide students with materials, supplies and equipment necessary to meet the high standards set by the Board of Regents.
5. Provides school funding that is predictable and timely, and
6. Provides school districts with the necessary funding to hire and retain highly qualified teachers.

I urge the State to provide for the needs of all students.

Sincerely,


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