Aid freeze would hit taxes,
school programs, school board group reports

School districts would be forced to slash programs and staff positions even while raising tax levies by an average of 12 percent if the 2002-03 Executive Budget education financing recommendations were enacted, according to a new survey by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA).

"A freeze on state aid won't freeze the status quo," said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer. "It means school programs will go backward and property tax levies will go upward."

The NYSSBA survey received responses from 343 of the approximately 700 school districts in New York state. Boards of education are in the process of formulating local budget proposals to be voted on May 21.

"The numbers are grim, especially for the low-wealth districts that are most heavily dependent on state aid," said Kremer. "Even after they make the less painful cuts, 70 percent are still expecting to cut teacher positions. And one district is looking at a 56 percent tax levy increase."
Other findings of the survey:

• About 93 percent of districts are planning their budgets on the assumption that the Legislature will not increase state aid beyond that proposed by the governor.
• 67 percent of districts expect class sizes to grow.
• Only 17, or 5 percent, of responding districts project no tax levy increase.
• 39 districts project tax levy increases in excess of 20 percent.
• Spending for professional development, BOCES services and enrichment programs would be among the first cuts.

"At a time that we have been making strides in improving achievement levels for all children and in making the state's education finance system more equitable, this would represent a huge backward step," said Kremer. "We urge the governor and the Legislature to consider carefully the implications of this survey and to craft a budget that will keep education New York state's top priority."