Assemblymembers Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) and Phil Steck (D-Colonie) were joined by parents, teachers and area residents to announce they secured $500,000 in discretionary aid for the Schenectady City School District.

“This year, we continued to invest in our public schools and increase state aid, including meaningful increases right here in the City of Schenectady, and I fought tirelessly for this additional investment. This continued investment will allow us to keep important programs in place, allow our schools to offer a diverse curriculum and make sure we support teachers with critical classroom resources,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “But there’s still more to do, and I’ll continue to work with our parents and teachers to make sure our children receive the high-quality education they deserve.”

“FDR said: ‘Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.’ Nothing in government is more important than our public education system, and so I am proud to stand here today to bring much needed additional aid to the Schenectady school system,” added Assemblymember Steck. “I only wish it could be more, but that will take greater cooperation from the Senate and the Governor.

The funds secured by Assemblymembers Santabarbara and Steck will be used to make critical investments in Schenectady schools, ensuring access to early intervention specialists, providing for summer programs and saving valuable teaching positions. In addition, the Assemblymembers delivered a $5.2 million increase for the district in this year’s state budget. The overall budget restored nearly $1.2 million of the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA). Both Assemblymembers will continue fighting to completely eliminate the GEA to help fully fund every school district.

“We are extremely grateful to Assemblymembers Santabarbara and Steck for their ongoing efforts and support of our district,” said Laurence Spring, Superintendent, Schenectady. “Thanks to both, we will be able to fund additional vital positions and programs that will help ensure the success or our students.”

“Every parent wants to see that their child has every opportunity to succeed at school,” said local parent, Jamaica Miles. “I’m grateful that our kids have Assemblymembers Santabarbara and Steck looking out for them.”

“On behalf of the Schenectady Federation of Teachers, I’d like to express how very thankful we are for the support Assemblyman Santabarbara and Assemblyman Steck have provided our district, public education in general but most importantly the students in the Schenectady City Schools,” said Juliet Benequisto, Schenectady Federation of Teachers President. “Our students desperately need smaller class sizes, and creative and varied resources. Most importantly they need the additional support that can only be gained from face to face interactions with teachers, paraprofessionals and other support staff.”

“The recent increases in public school aid are appreciated; however we are still being funded at a rate much lower than in the 2008-2009 school year. The implementation of the Common Core Curriculum and other regulations has redirected resources away from our students. The recognition of our needs and the ongoing support from Assemblyman Santabarbara and Assemblyman Steck, and specifically this additional aid, is so very much appreciated and so very needed,” added Juliet Benequisto.