Schools Face More Cuts, Take Action Now!

It’s been a terrible year for New York City schools. It kicked off when the city announced $405 million worth of cuts back in May. Then, the summer’s charter application season saw more attempts by private contractors to funnel off money and talent from the public school system, including two heated battles in our own district. They’ve begun discussing removing caps on the number of charter schools allowed in the state, and last month the state proposed an additional mid-year cut of $686 million from the education system. And today marks the last day of employment for 500 New York City public school aides.

Yes, it’s shaping up to be a terrible school year, and we’re not even halfway through it. That’s why, over in Manhattan Beach, leaders of the Manhattan Beach Community Group are organizing a letter-writing campaign to the state representatives in order to battle the $686 million mid-year cut. About a third of that, $223 million, is slated specifically for the city’s school system. MBCG writes:

Our children will be losing out again. Please take a moment and call our Assemblyman Steve Cymbrowitz and ask him to vote against these cuts … Don’t let our children get short changed. Cut the fat. Cut the waste. Leave schools alone. Let our children learn.

We agree. That’s why we’re joining them in asking all of our readers to contact your state senator and state assemblyman. Contact information for representatives in our area are below. If you need to know who represents you, click here. Remind our representatives to protect our children and their education. Tell them hands-off on schools.

State Senator Martin J. Golden
718-238-6044 – golden@senate.state.ny.us

State Senator Carl Kruger
718-743-8610 – kruger@senate.state.ny.us

State Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz
718-743-4078 – CymbroS@assembly.state.ny.us

State Assemblyman Alan Maisel
718-968-2770 – MaiselA@ assembly.state.ny.us