State Senator John Bonacic held a press conference at Ellenville's government center on Monday to call for the New York State Legislature to add $350 million to the proposed state budget for foundation aid, which is educational funding that goes to closing the achievement gap between school districts of differing needs. He was joined at the conference by Billy Easton, the Executive Director for the Alliance for Quality Education, Carol Slotkin, a member of the Board of Trustees of New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), and Ellenville School Superintendant Lisa Wiles.

"Last year, the state legislature finally agreed for the increase of more monies for education in the state of New York," said Senator Bonacic. The agreement was for a four-year commitment to the state funding foundation aid for needy schools. The senator said that foundation aid is for schools that are "really, not so rich," and that the funding goes directly into the classroom, helping to increase a school's number of teachers, fund technology, books, and tutoring programs. The money's purpose is "to close the achievement gap between the more wealthy school districts and the poorer school districts."

"In this year's budget, the governor came up short and broke his promise, to the tune of $350 million," continued the senator. "That money is also needed for our school districts to try to keep property taxes under control, because where they come up short, it puts pressure on [school districts] to go to the property owners. I know the economy is soft, I know this is a tough year, but foundation aid in education is the wrong place not to be keeping your promise."

The senator broke down the difference between 2007's promised funding and 2008's actual budgeted funding for each county in the district under the agreement. Ulster County's loss is $3 million, $4 million for Sullivan County, and $11.5 million for Orange County, for a total of $18.5 million that will not go to the area's schools should the senate fail to restore the state's support for schools.

According to information provided by Bonacic's office, last year's school funding reform that was enacted into law "created a simplified and transparent formula to distribute classroom operating foundation aid. Last year's reforms included a commitment to increase State foundation aid by $5.5 billion over four years. Based on the enacted formula for foundation aid this year, an increase of $1.24 billion had been projected by the Division of Budget." However, this year's proposed budget contains an increase of $890 million, resulting in the $350 million gap.

In addition, Bonacic reveals some numbers that are related directly to Ellenville: the funds as promised in last year's commitment would have given over $1.6 million to the Ellenville School District, but the new budget as proposed will short change the district by almost $600,000.

Superintendant Wiles talked about how, thanks to last year's foundation aid funds, the school was able to implement new programs and improve existing ones to offer more educational opportunities for the area's kids. One such endeavor, called Program Success, focused on eighth graders who were moving to ninth grade, but who were in danger of dropping out. She said the funds were able to provide for more teachers and smaller class sizes, which allowed for more attention to students who need it. The funding allowed programs like this to flourish, while the school was able to "keep the tax levy increases to zero."

Town Supervisor Ed Jennings asked the senator, "Is this just a one year shot, or are you going to fight for this again next year?" Bonacic replied that this issue is his number one priority, and when asked whether he expects Assembleyman Kevin Cahill to support this issue in the New York State Assembly, the senator said, "I'm sure he will be, because he has been a champion of more aid for education."

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