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February 15, 2000
 Vol. XIV  No.2

NYSASCSD NEWSLETTER

(Website: scsd.neric.org)

TOM MCGOWAN DELIVERS TESTIMONY FOR SMALL CITY SCHOOLS AT JOINT LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON EXECUTIVE BUDGET

Tom McGowan, Superintendent, Glens Falls City School District and Executive Vice President for the Association delivered testimony on February 1st at the Joint Legislative Hearing on the Executive Budget.  (Copies of that testimony are on the Association's website scsd.neric.org.  Also appearing for the Association were Theodore Grocki, Superintendent of Rensselaer CSD and Secretary to the Association and Counsel, Bob Biggerstaff.  The testimony criticized the Executive Budget for its 3.4% average increase but only a 2.5% to small city districts, which are substantially poorer than the State average.  It also criticized the BOCES, Building Aid, Private Excess Cost Aid, STAR and budget cap proposals.  Finally, it criticized the Governor's proposal to phase out Special Aid to Small City School Districts (HURD Aid).  The testimony then recommended several proposals including Transition Aid Reform, HURD Aid freeze/enhancement, Austerity Budget Cap Reform and Charter School Aid among other things.

Commissioner Mills started the hearing by outlining the Regents Aid proposals of over $1 billion in new aid for 2000-2001 and over $6 billion over the next five years.  He said that with this commitment for education aid support the goals set by the higher standards could be reached.

Assemblyman Sanders, Chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, asked the Commissioner about the effect of the Governor's budget on the higher standards.  Mills said it would undercut the "heroic" efforts already ongoing in schools throughout the state.  Sanders also asked about the Governor's recommended budget cap.  Mills said this proposal did not have his support.

Sanders and Mills then talked about Executive proposals regarding teachers.  Mills said he liked those involving incentives for teachers.  New York City has 10,000 unlicensed teachers and without these kinds of initiatives, that problem cannot be addressed.

Senator Kuhl, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, asked about the need to drive new aid through operating aid versus categorical aids.  Mills agreed that this was necessary.  Kuhl asked why the Department said last year that the standards implementation cost was much lower than now estimated.  Mills said that the Department's current analysis is a five-year look at costs.

Kuhl also asked about the 10% of students who have not passed the English Regents.  Mills said these children are getting extra help, extra classes on a case-by-case basis.  Kuhl asked about those 10,000 kids; what specifically in terms of safety net or VOC-Ed are the Regents planning.  Mills said there is a safety net for children with disabilities.  They only have to try the Regents (pass rate has improved for these from 19% to 40%) and they can take the competency test.  We cannot just pass children without competency.  We must keep trying; providing additional tests, help and summer schools.

Kuhl then talked about accountability; shouldn't districts/schools get a reward for good performance.  Mills thought that was a possible approach.  There should be relaxation of regulations for higher performance.

Assemblyman Grannis asked about the Executive Budget under funding Ladder by $300 million.  Mills indicated his support for Ladder.  He then asked about the reported figure of 400,000 students predicted to be in summer school this year.  Mills said the only remedy is to get students to read and write more (read 25 books/year and write 1,000 words/month).  Grannis asked about the rationale for a low passing grade of 55.  Mills said 55 is not a high level of performance, but it is adequate for now and was necessary to get every child taking the same tests.  (12% passed between 55 and 65).  In 2003, the passing grade will increase to 65.

Senator Stachowski asked about the teachers/salaries at schools for the severely disabled.  Deputy Commissioner Gloeckler answered by referring to the rate setting methodology and efforts to develop an appeal process to deal with the standards and need to increase tuition rates.

Senator Stachowski asked about Charter Schools.  Mills said unintended consequences regarding costs to districts must be dealt with.  Albany CSD has a cost of $4 million this year, which should be addressed, or it will result in additional real property taxes.

Interim New York City Chancellor Harold Levy then followed the Commissioner.  Levy talked about the great dichotomy in the NYC education system between very high and very low performing schools, where 97 of SURR schools are located.  One of the greatest problems is the lack of credentials and qualifications among teachers and teacher turnover.  This is critical he said since teacher skills and qualifications are directly related to student performance.  With 10,000 uncertified teachers out of 78,000, this needs immediate attention.  He also spoke about the need to target funds to high need districts, 80% of which are in New York City.

ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETS IN ALBANY JANUARY 23

The Association’s Board of Directors met at the Desmond Hotel in Albany on January 23, in conjunction with the Niscus midwinter conference.  Norman Barton, President and Board member from Canandaigua CSD led the meeting which covered numerous routine association matters plus other matters of significant note including an update on the executive budget; a review of charter school funding issues; an update on the Luster-Seward bill S6171/A9226 making permissive the charging of interest on installment tax bills; review of the 12/20/99 meeting with Commissioner Mills; discussion of rescheduling the Association’s annual conference from its usual November date in Albany  to a July date at the Otesaga, Cooperstown, New York; the appointment of Phil Vanno, Jr. of Utica CSD to the Board to replace Steven Schavi, also of Utica; and the approval of entering into a consultant arrangement with Charles Winters, formerly the Associate Superintendent from Newburgh CSD.

Executive Budget Update:

The Governor’s budget sharply attacked BOCES aid and private excess cost aid among other things and proposed very modest overall increases in education aid.  Early indications from the Legislature are, however, that a substantial increase over the Governor’s proposal will eventually be approved.  There also are indications that there will be strong opposition to the Governor’s proposal for a super majority requirement to override a 4% or 120% of the CPI budget cap.  The Board also discussed its strong support for the Regents proposal for aid to education for 2000-2001 and its concern over charter school funding.  The board requested that these concerns would be reflected in the joint budget hearing testimony delivered by Executive Vice President Tom McGowan on February 2.

Luster/Seward Bill S6171/A9226

The Board received an update on this legislation, which was introduced on January 5, 2000.  It would correct the oversight of Chapter 447 of 1999, which mandated the imposition of interest on installment payments of real property tax in small city school districts.  This legislation would make it permissive and is expected to pass and become effective prior to the July 1, 2000 effective date of Chapter 447.

Regents Update

The Association’s meeting with the Commissioner on 12/20/99, was reviewed.  The Commissioner urged the Association to support the Regents education aid proposal and do so at the joint budget hearing on February 2.  The Board also reviewed the proposal itself which provided for a $1.3 billion increase in aid for 2000-2001 and similar increases over the next five years targeted toward those districts and children in the greatest need.

2000 Fall Conference

The Board indicated that many events of other associations are crowded around the November date usually selected for the Association’s annual conference and that a summer conference at the Otesaga might be more attractive.  The Board requested that a survey be disseminated to get feedback from the Association members.

Other Business

Steven Schavi of Utica CSD recently resigned due to personal considerations and the Board appointed Phil Vanno, Jr. of Utica CSD in his place.  We welcome Phil to the Board and look forward to working with him in the coming year. 

A consulting agreement with Charles Winters was discussed and approved.  We also appreciate Charley’s willingness to continue working with the Association in a consultant capacity and know we will benefit greatly from his continued involvement with small city districts.

MEETINGS ON CHARTER SCHOOLS CONTINUE

The Association initiated a meeting in November with NYSSBA and NYSCOSS on problems surrounding implementation of the charter school law.  A second meeting was held on February 8, 2000, in the offices of NYSSBA in Albany.  In attendance representing the Association were Lonnie Palmer, Superintendent of Albany CSD; James Lee, Superintendent of Binghamton CSD; and counsel Bob Biggerstaff.  Representatives from NYSSBA and NYSCOSS were also in attendance.  Results of the survey on net cost of charter schools previously distributed in December were reviewed and showed for the 17 charter schools currently approved, an approximate total net cost between $20 and $30 million.  This approximation is only a rough estimate of the total stranded/fixed costs that the affected school districts will have to underwrite.  Attempts are being made to fine tune those estimates as discussions with the legislature regarding the possible approval of charter school impact aid is discussed.  While currently only Albany CSD and Schenectady CSD of small city school districts are affected, in the near future many other small cities will potentially be involved in this issue as additional charter school applications are approved.

FEBRUARY 29 LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST AND SEMINAR

Please save February 29, and plan to attend the legislative breakfast and seminar in Albany at the Fort Orange Club.  Both Senator Kuhl and Assemblyman Sanders will speak and the seminar session will cover a range of topics, including teacher issues and charter schools.  If you haven’t already, please RSVP to Becky Biggerstaff at 518-462-5300, 518-436-0210 (fax) or BAB@DeGraff-Foy.com (e-mail).  Look forward to seeing you there.

WEBSITE REMINDER

Just a reminder that the Association has a website which is updated on a regular basis.  Please feel free to visit the site to view newsletters, legislative alerts, state budget updates and other information about the Association.  Any information you would like posted would be welcomed as well.  The website address is scsd.neric.org

DATES OF INTEREST

February 29, 2000 – Association Legislative Breakfast and Seminar at Fort Orange Club in Albany.

April, 2000 – Regional meeting in Ithaca to be rescheduled.

May 24, 2000 – Board meeting, Albany, NY at offices of DeGraff, Foy.