To the Honorable ___________

Dear Senator __________,

Last year, schools weathered Governor Paterson's Deficit Reduction Plan. This year, we are seeking to ward off his Gap Elimination Adjustment.

This annual approach to state budgeting creates an untenable fiscal situation for school districts throughout the state, but disproportionately burdens Long Island school districts.

There is no question that New York State's fiscal challenges are real. However, the impact of a $3.7 million mid-year cut in state aid to Longwood School District would have a debilitating impact on our school programs and property taxes.

A cut of this magnitude equates to more than 50% of the federal stimulus earmarked for Longwood and undermines the efforts of the Board of Education to balance the preservation of programs against a minimal tax rate increase. Program and staffing decisions were made in good faith last spring in anticipation of state fulfilling its approved allocation to our school community.

While Longwood strives to meet its obligations to the community, the default of mid-year state aid payments violates the state's responsibility to public schools and simultaneously breaks a promise made to our common constituents who supported our 2009-2010 spending plan.

Longwood is not a wealthy community by any standards, with a combined wealth ratio less than the state average. A diverse community that educates 9,200 students, more than one-third of our students receive free and reduced lunch. The number of homeless students grows annually, totaling more than 300 by the end of the last school year.

Yet, despite the economic struggles faced by our individual families, year after year, they stretch their household budgets to support the school's spending plan. We have challenged the state's formula that does not recognize the high cost of living on Long Island. Equating high property values with “wealth,” does a tremendous disservice to our residents, who bear an extraordinarily high property tax burden.

The Governor's proposed Gap Elimination Adjustment formula further exacerbates the situation by disproportionally impacting low to middle class communities, like Longwood.

We call upon you to eliminate any consideration of a mid-year cut to state school aid and to amend the Foundation Formula in recognition of Long Island's high tax burden.

Sincerely,