The Court of Appeals has declared New York State is failing in its duty to provide all children the educational opportunities the constitution guarantees. NYSSBA supported the plaintiffs, the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, in this lawsuit and believes the governor and Legislature must fashion a statewide remedy. Below is NYSSBA's statement in reaction to the decision.
Campaign for Fiscal Equity Lawsuit Decision
Statement of Timothy G. Kremer, Executive Director
New York State School Boards Association
New York State's highest court has declared what should be a prompt end to this state's long and sorry history of making children's educational opportunity a function of the wealth of their community.
The Court of Appeals decision is a victory for every school district in the state that struggles to find resources to support its public schools. The high court makes clear that resources are indeed a critical element in educational achievement and that the state is ultimately responsible for ensuring those resources are adequate.
No other state in the nation has a greater gap between low-poverty and high-poverty districts in the amount of state and local revenue available per student, according to a 2002 study by the Education Trust. Education Week's consistently low marks for New York for the equity of distribution of financial resources to school districts are well-deserved.
The New York State Legislature and the governor can no longer ignore this inequity or content themselves with Band-Aid fixes. Our children and their future demand- now- an education finance system that provides adequate resources; distributes them equitably, predictably, and in a manner that is understandable to the general public; and that provides local districts flexibility in their use.
The New York State School Boards Association has partnered with the Campaign for Fiscal Equity in sponsoring a study, now underway, of what it should cost each district in the state to provide an adequate educational opportunity to every child and consistent with the constitutional standard. NYSSBA has also joined with CFE to sponsor community forums throughout the state and submitted friend-of-the-court briefs in support of their court case.