Fair funding for our schools

As a New York State resident whose two children received an excellent public school education conterminously from grades K-12, it has come to my attention that funding for education in our state has been fiscally compromised for many years.

Sadly, I have come to learn that the law, Gap Elimination Adjustment, introduced by the governor for the 2010-11 fiscal year was a way to help close a $10 billion budget deficit. A portion of this funding shortfall is divided among all New York State school districts, ergo, a reduction in school district state aid.

The Gap Elimination is funding originally due to the districts. In just this present year, Warwick has lost more than $3 million.

How has this affected our school district?

Dramatically!
Since 2010, more than 80 full-time positions have been eliminated, including a plethora of outstanding teachers.

Student clubs and activities, cultural enrichment programs and athletics are just the tip of the iceberg in programs which have been erased from the curriculum.

Interestingly, my oldest son has been teaching at a university as well as other public institutions in South Korea for several years. The Korean commitment to education is far superior to our own here in the United States. Issues such as what we are presently experiencing here in our state virtually don't exist in South Korea.

Education is a major priority. There is never "too much" spending on education. Here in Warwick, we've recently cut teaching staff so deeply that those with up to six and seven years experience with superb reputations have been let go.

This sordid scenario among public school districts, many of which have virtually become insolvent, is unacceptable.

The mantra seems to be: "the economy is bad; we don't have the funding.:

I ask: “In the wealthiest country in the world and in probably the wealthiest state in the union?”

This is a seriously flawed situation. I, therefore entreat all to contact their respective state legislators - here in Warwick that's state Sen. John Bonacic and Assemblyman James Skoufis - and encourage them to support legislation restoring full funding for our schools.

Russ Layne
Warwick