State passes funding plan for city schools

In November of 2003, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein proposed a $13.1 billion school capital construction plan – half of which they asked the state to pay for – to modernize and expand city schools. On Monday, it finally became official, as Mayor Bloomberg and Governor George Pataki announced the State would in fact provide a 50% share of New York City’s $13.1 billion School Capital Construction Plan (over five years).
“Parents across the City want new schools in their neighborhoods, but the plain facts were that there just wasn’t enough money for them – until this morning,” Mayor Bloomberg said. “We went to communities in every borough and all across this city this winter with a very clear and important message: by working together and making our voices heard, we can do the right thing and build the new classrooms, science labs, playgrounds, gyms and libraries this and future generations of our students need. I want to thank Governor Pataki for his leadership in approving this funding and recognizing the importance of school construction aid for New York City.”
Governor Pataki signed the legislation, allocating $1.8 billion in aid and authorizing an additional $9.4 billion in financing through the New York City Transitional Finance Authority, split evenly between the City and State. “I am proud that the budget we enacted will provide vital support for school construction efforts in New York City as a key part of our ongoing efforts to provide record investments in our children’s education,” Governor Pataki said. “This new record State construction aid will allow New York City to modernize and improve our schoolchildren’s learning environment, ensuring that present and future New York City students can receive the first-class education they deserve.”
In February, the Mayor announced 21 school construction projects would be delayed due to a lack of state funding. These new funds should ensure that those projects, including nine in Queens, now move forward, including 15,000 new classroom seats in elementary, middle and high school facilities across the city. This year alone, this funding will also provide for the creation of nearly 40 new science labs, 15 new libraries, 60 new athletic facilities, 40 new arts facilities, 20 new technology upgrades and 20 new heating systems.
The Campaign for Fiscal Equity, whose lawsuit calling for more funds for city schools resulted in a court hearing that served as an impetus for the plan, was happy a step in the right direction was taken but still far from satisfied. The budget calls for up to $400 million in operating aid for city schools this year but falls well short of the amount – at least a $4.7 billion increase over four years – the State Appellate Court asked of the Governor after the initial suit.
Geri Palast, the executive director for the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, said they’ve filed an appeal with the state’s highest court to get an order that the Governor and State legislature come back and agree to the court’s request of the aforementioned amount.
Still, they were happy that the $9.2 billion in capitol funding for City schools was met. “I think the agreement of funds is significant, and it shows where there’s a political will, there’s a way to get the job done,” Palast said. “It’s good; it’s not good enough.”