To: Governor Andrew Cuomo
Restore GEA to Cambridge CSD in 2015-2016
Governor Cuomo, Senators Little and Marchione, Assemblyman McLaughlin, and Assemblywoman Woerner:
We, the parents, grandparents and supporters of Cambridge Central School District, call on you to restore all Gap Elimination Adjustments to public schools in the 2015-2016 State budget. With an anticipated budget surplus of $6.2 billion by the end of this fiscal year, now is the time!
We, the parents, grandparents and supporters of Cambridge Central School District, call on you to restore all Gap Elimination Adjustments to public schools in the 2015-2016 State budget. With an anticipated budget surplus of $6.2 billion by the end of this fiscal year, now is the time!
Why is this important?
As a school community, Cambridge CSD has already made significant reductions to critical components of our annual school budget as rising costs outpaced revenue. Staff positions, class sections, and services have been reduced for students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. We are working together as a district to make difficult decisions and reduce spending.
Now we need your continued support to ensure the adopted state budget upholds the funding promises made to school districts across the state, by eliminating the GEA. This year alone (in the 2014-15 state aid calculations), Cambridge lost $891,670 in funding that was promised to our district, but taken back to balance the state budget. Every year since 2009, Cambridge has lost an average of over one million dollars to the GEA, and this disturbing trend must be addressed.
We ask you to take immediate action to prevent long-term negative effects on the quality of public education for Cambridge students. Abolish the Gap Elimination Adjustment in this year’s state budget.
Now we need your continued support to ensure the adopted state budget upholds the funding promises made to school districts across the state, by eliminating the GEA. This year alone (in the 2014-15 state aid calculations), Cambridge lost $891,670 in funding that was promised to our district, but taken back to balance the state budget. Every year since 2009, Cambridge has lost an average of over one million dollars to the GEA, and this disturbing trend must be addressed.
We ask you to take immediate action to prevent long-term negative effects on the quality of public education for Cambridge students. Abolish the Gap Elimination Adjustment in this year’s state budget.