Hi John,

Just a few short weeks from the start of a new school year that will be full of new challenges and additional costs, Governor Cuomo is considering a 20 percent cut in school aid.

But if we want a sustainable, long term solution for our schools, we need immediate action from our legislators. Email your State Assemblymember and Senator now, and tell them we must raise revenue to protect students from these devastating cuts!

AQE released a report on Tuesday that shows how Governor Cuomo’s pandemic-era policies continue a trend of balancing the state’s budget at the expense of the educational resources and opportunities for Black, Brown and low-income students.

A 20 percent reduction in overall school aid would be disproportionately cut from high need school districts, serving New York's largest populations of Black & Brown students. That means that while high need school districts are facing a $2,626 per student cut, wealthy school districts — which are far more able to absorb a cut and maintain programming, staffing and student services — are facing a per student cut of just $873.

Click above to read AQE's new report.

Some districts have already begun the process of making further cuts to their programming and personnel. School leaders have spent months carefully crafting plans to meet the educational and emotional needs of students, while practicing social distancing and keeping everyone safe. To cut funding to districts now would mean districts will have to throw out current plans and create new reopening strategies, with limited time and resources.

It is more essential than ever that we protect our most vulnerable students in this time of crisis. We need immediate action from our legislators. Send an email to your State Assemblymember and Senator now! Tell them we must raise revenue to protect students from these devastating cuts.

In solidarity,

Jasmine Gripper
Alliance for Quality Education