Weisenberg to Cuomo: Extremely Concerned About State Aid Cuts

(The following is a letter that Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D-Long Beach) sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. A number of Island Park students attend Long Beach High School.)

January 28, 2013
Governor Andrew Cuomo
Executive Chamber, State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Cuomo:

I write to you on behalf of four of the school districts located in my Assembly District.

I am extremely concerned about the slated aid cuts contained in your budget proposal to the following schools in my A.D.:

• Long Beach……. ….. -1.24%                                 
  
• East Rockaway…….. -4.40%                                 
  
• Oceanside………….   -3.91%                                 
  
• Island Park………… -5.90% 

It is my understanding that the reductions in funding are within the “high tax aid” category, which has been shifted to fund another aid category. Sadly, the aid shift, if enacted, will harm these districts at a time when they are experiencing severe hardships due to massive damages wrought by Hurricane Sandy. Some of my districts continue to operate without a high school building and are struggling to make repairs that will enable their students to return to their home school. Although FEMA and the state will be providing assistance for repairs, (75% and 12½ % respectively) the school districts will be responsible for funding at least 12½ % of the final cost to repair the badly damaged buildings and grounds.

The aid runs appear to have ignored the massive shifts that just occurred within these communities’ wealth ratio numbers. The loss of housing values, the disappearance of tax-paying businesses that have chosen to close rather than rebuild, along with the considerable number of remaining homeless students and their transportation costs is a sad fiscal reality for our communities. It is alarming that these aid proposals have not taken any of these circumstances into account.

I am requesting that you ensure the needs of the students in my district be a priority during budget negotiations. These children have weathered a great deal of hardship and continue to pursue an education, despite these obstacles. Please help them through this most difficult time by ensuring their public schools will remain operational and financially able to educate them.

Thank you for your kind consideration in this regard. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or require further information.

Sincerely,
Harvey Weisenberg
Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore