The status quo cannot be supported

To the editor: While it is obvious to the taxpayers that the current flawed public school funding system is discriminatory and cannot be sustained, it is even more obvious that the New York State Legislators do not realize that their cushy jobs (and perks) are at peril should they not address this issue expeditiously. After the last state election, there are 24 new legislators who are generally in favor of reform but have little or no power. The senior legislators are responsible for the current debacle of school funding because they either failed to acknowledge the growing crisis (over the past 12 years) or they supported the party line or “status quo.” Should the voters replace 24 of these senior legislators in the November elections, there would now be 48 new legislators who would be generally in favor of reform. It is imperative that the taxpayers force these legislators to accept the public school funding issue as a #1 priority. A petition has been drawn up for Warwick Valley School District taxpayers to sign; it will be forwarded to Albany with the intent to have our legislators reassign their priorities and address this growing crisis now. The petition reads as follows: “We call upon the Governor, the New York State Legislature, and other state officials to develop a solution that will provide adequate state funding for public education, eliminate dependence on local school property taxes, and maintain funding to local governments; and also call upon our state leaders to eliminate unfunded mandates, which increase the cost of public education and further strain the property tax base.” Initially, the petition is available for signing at the Warwick Town Hall and Newhard’s (in the village). I would be pleased to supply blank copies to anyone who would like to help or support this initiative - just leave a message at 845-986-5227. William A. Fullerton Warwick