Vallone Joins Bayside High School PTA in the Fight for Fair Student Funding

Council Member Paul Vallone and the Bayside High School Parent Teacher Association are calling on the Department of Education to increase funding to one of New York City’s top performing high schools. In previous school years, Bayside High School has only received 83% -90% of the funding amount expected based upon the Department of Education’s own formula. Funding shortfalls for the coming year will result in cutting the career and technical programs, a significant part of what attracts 12,000 annual applicants to the school.

In 2007, Mayor Bloomberg implemented Fair Student Funding (FSF), a formula that pools and distributes city, state and federal school funding allocations to each city school. FSF is the main source of money for most schools and is based on a “weighted pupil-funding model.” With input from the School Leadership Team, principals decide how to spend these funds to meet basic educational needs and operating expenses at their schools.

Over the last decade, Bayside High School has faced consistent shortfalls in Fair Student Funding. The majority of City schools, particularly large high schools, face the same issue.

For years, Bayside High School has consistently placed as one of the top performing schools in the City of New York. The graduation rate has increased in recent years to 98%, the third highest graduation rate for large schools in the City. A total 96% of students graduate with college credit.

“Despite its name, this program is clearly not fair to our students at Bayside High School and our high schools in Northeast Queens,” said Council Member Vallone. “Year after year, Bayside High School has proven itself to be among the best performing schools in the City, but was shortchanged by nearly three million dollars in the most recent school year alone. Strides to bring Bayside High School fair funding are critical to ensure educators have the resources they need to contribute to continued student success and high graduation rates. I applaud the Parent Teacher Association on their call for true equity and I will continue advocacy efforts at City Hall.”

“The DOE has underfunded Bayside High School for more than a decade,” said PTA President Paul Di Benedetto. “That’s not opinion; that’s according to the DOE’s own formula! This year, we’re looking at $3 million less than our kids should receive. The DOE should be rewarding excellence, not penalizing it.”

Read More Coverage:

Queens Courier

Patch

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Big Win for Whitestone as Residents Report Reduced Summer Helicopter Noise

As Northeast Queens residents continue to report significant decreases in helicopter noise throughout the busiest summer months, Council Member Paul Vallone and Congressman Tom Suozzi are calling on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to make this successful pilot program permanent.

In October 2018, the FAA began a six-month test of an alternative route which shifted air traffic away from Northeast Queens and cut helicopter and seaplane traffic by up to 50 percent. The current six-month extension, which will run through October 2, 2019, is bringing continued relief to the residents of Bayside, Bay Terrace, Malba and Whitestone through the normally more active summertime months.

In 2008, the FAA established the North Shore Helicopter Route as a voluntary path that pilots could take over the Long Island Sound. In 2012, it was mandated that pilots utilize the route when flying to and from the East End, and in 2016, the FAA ruled to keep the route active through 2020.

“From Memorial Day to Labor Day and into the fall, Northeast Queens residents will be free to enjoy their backyards, parks and waterfronts without the constant assault of helicopter noise that unfortunately in past years became the norm,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “As this pilot program continues to provide needed relief to the families who call Northeast Queens home, I join Congressman Suozzi in urging the FAA to establish this as a permanent change.”

“I am grateful to the FAA for heeding my numerous phone calls, letters, and personal entreaties to address the helicopter noise in Whitestone,” said Congressman Tom Suozzi. “All reports indicate that the pilot program has resulted in dramatic quality of life improvements for the residents of northeastern Queens. Now, Council Member Vallone, the folks at We Love Whitestone, and I will continue pleading with the FAA to take this very successful pilot program and make it permanent.”

“Thanks to efforts by our community working along with Congressman Suozzi and Councilman Vallone, the modification of the NSR has achieved a significant decrease in helicopter and sea plane traffic over the communities of Northeast Queens,” said George Mirtsopoulos, vice president of the We Love Whitestone Civic Association. “On behalf of our community, we are grateful for not only this improvement to our quality of life, but also for the reduction of traffic subjecting these communities to the possibility of a more severe incident that could impact the well-being of residents. We urge our elected officials to advocate for a mandatory all water route to ensure the safety of the residents of New York City, which is the desired goal on this issue.”