Whereas, our state leaders have committed to a four
percent increase in school aid as part of the 2012-13 NYS budget,
and,
Whereas, the funding cuts enacted as part of the 2012
NYS budget disproportionately hurt low-wealth, high poverty school districts
and rural counties,
and,
Whereas, the cap on local school budgets will
increase the inequities between school districts and combined with cuts in
state aid will undermine the quality of our schools
and,
Whereas, many of these low-wealth and high poverty
school districts serve rural children,
and,
Whereas, the Democratic Rural Conference advocates
for its rural constituents to the extent of its ability,
Now, therefore, be it hereby resolved
That the Executive Board of the DRC supports the New
York State Board of Regents in their call for reform of the school funding
formula so that 73% of the 2012-13 school aid increases prioritize low-wealth
and high poverty school districts,
and be it further resolved
That the Executive Board of the DRC Conference urges
Governor Andrew Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Majority Leader
Dean Skelos, Senate Minority Leader B. Kolb and Senator David Valesky to
support and work to change the funding formula so that 73% of the 2012 school
district budget increase goes to low-wealth and high poverty districts.
