Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is calling on the governor and State Education Department to release school aid runs so districts across the state can plan for the coming fiscal year. It is customary for school aid runs to be released when the governor issues his budget proposal.

“It is beyond comprehension as to why school aid runs have yet to be released to the public; it seems like a foolish attempt by the governor to throw his weight around so he can get his way,” said Blankenbush. “To tie school aid – which is very much needed by rural schools – to a set of so-called education reforms is just short of bullying. Where has the governor been? My Assembly Minority colleagues and I have been pushing for reform for years. These are the types of games that need to stop.”

Blankenbush hosted one of 11 local hearings organized by the Assembly Minority Conference on education and Common Core. From these hearings the Achieving Pupil Preparedness and Launching Excellence (APPLE) Plan was developed.

One of the tenets of the APPLE Plan is fair funding of public schools, which Blankenbush cites as a primary problem facing rural schools in his district. Additionally, the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) funds that were taken from schools by the state in the 2011-12 budget have yet to be fully restored.

“School aid should never be used as a political tool; our children’s education is just too important,” concluded Blankenbush.