Magnarelli: CNY Schools Need Support
Annual Education Summit brought CNY school districts to table;
Magnarelli: Legislation addresses funding concerns

photo Assemblyman Magnarelli speaks with Ned Duell, Syracuse City School Board President and Daniel Lowengard, Syracuse City School District Superintendent.

Syracuse - Tuesday in Albany New York State Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli (D-120th) co-hosted the Central New York Assembly Majority Delegation's Annual Education Summit.

"The Annual Education Summit is an opportunity to bring Central New York legislators and school district officials together to discuss the important issues facing our schools," Magnarelli said. "Educators have an opportunity to address legislative issues, raise concerns and participate in dialogue with regional colleagues. Ideas, challenges and solutions are brought up in the Summit from urban and rural school districts."

Members of the Central New York Assembly Delegation invited Superintendents, School District Business Managers and members of Boards of Education from their respective districts.

Magnarelli joined Speaker Sheldon Silver, Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, Chair, Committee on Education, Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, Jr., Chair, Committee on Ways and Means, and Central New York Assembly colleagues including Joan Christensen, RoAnn Destito, Barbara Lifton, Bill Magee and Al Stirpe.

photo Assemblyman Magnarelli makes his opening remarks at the Education Summit.

Among topics discussed were funding discrepancies in distribution formula, cuts to Pre-K education, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and other special education programs.

Magnarelli authored a bill (A.6459) that amends the education law to streamline the school aid formula to improve the equality of funding in New York State school districts. Developed with the aid of the Statewide School Finance Consortium, the new formula would equalize the funding for all New York State schools.

Key provisions are that school districts would receive monies based upon student need and district assets pursuant to a formula that is straightforward and transparent.

"Many New York State school districts in urban and rural areas are under funded," Magnarelli said. "Bottom line is this: funding per student must be done on a fair and transparent basis."

Among the attendees from Assemblyman Magnarelli's District were:

  • Marilyn Dominick, Superintendent, Jordan-Elbridge Central School District

  • Lawrence Cummings, Director, CNY School Board Association

  • Ann Wright, Board President, OCM BOCES

  • Jody Manning, Superintendent, Solvay Union Free School District

  • Ned Duell, Board President, Syracuse City School District

  • Daniel Lowengard, Superintendent, Syracuse City School District

  • Kate McKenna, President, Syracuse Teachers Association, Inc.

  • Stephen Bocciolatt, Superintendent, Westhill Central School District

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