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�There can be infinite uses of the computer and of new age technology, but if teachers themselves are not able to bring it into the classroom and make it work, then it fails.� - Nancy Kassebaum

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Parents, Students Help School Districts in Tough Financial Times

Posted by District Webmaster in Trends | Post a comment

Tight budgets are taking their toll nation wide. Here is a story of how New York districts are trying to cope.

Educators nation wide are relying on community members more than ever for help with their budgets. Parents and students have rallied and they've helped prioritize programs in their school districts.

Money crunch NEW YORK STATE -- The last three years have been the toughest school districts have ever seen. And educators are relying on community members more than ever for help with their budgets. Parents and students have rallied in Albany and they've helped prioritize programs in their school districts. As YNN reporter Katie Gibas reports, district officials say without the community's help, their budgets would have been even tougher.

Amid tough financial times, state aid to school districts has dwindled, while unfunded mandates continue to rise.

"They've really cut our hands off and said, 'You've still got to get the job done.' It's an impossible task this year," said Suzanne Slack, the Syracuse City School District CFO.

Rick Timbs, the Statewide School Finance Consortium Director added, "They're losing the education of their children as we speak."

Because of the tough cuts districts have proposed, more people than ever are coming to meetings to voice their opinions.

"That's because we're at the cliff and we're in big trouble. And things are going to change and not necessarily everyone's going to be happy," said Timbs.

To address the impossible task, districts called on the help of the community more than ever to make sure parents and students are the ones prioritizing programs to help shape school budgets.

"In our community forums this year, people have really looked at the bigger picture, and we've been very grateful for the very positive dialogue that's been there and the understanding the community has shown," said Kraig Pritts, the Tully Superintendent.

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