The Norwich Educators Organization has been without a new contract since last June, but nothing was more important to educators in the Chenango County local than passing the school budget.

Members reached out to every union household in the district through two separate mailings. Educators packed a board meeting, informing board members that "quality public schools require good budgets and good contracts."

On May 20, Norwich voters echoed a message heard across the state by approving their school spending plan. Efforts by the Norwich local, led by Bruce Race, paid off — they increased "yes" votes 43 percent over last year.

Voters statewide approved more than 92 percent of school budgets. NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi called the successful budget votes "recognition by parents and others in communities across the state that public schools are raising standards and improving achievement."

With 625 school spending plans gaining public approval, NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin noted that despite the downturn in the economy, "New Yorkers understand the importance of keeping education strong. Strong public schools keep communities vibrant and are a wise investment for our entire state," Lubin said.

Ads, coalitions pay off

In the weeks before May 20, thousands of NYSUT members handed out leaflets, staffed phone banks, planted lawn signs and worked with parents and community leaders to pass local budgets.

"Educators and parents are a powerful voice for community schools when they work together," Lubin said.

The statewide union launched a $1 million, television advertising campaign with commercials airing in markets across the state stressing the role good schools play in preparing students for the future and helping the local economy.

Rockland County educators combined efforts and launched a countywide phone-bank effort with the help of the area's Central Labor Council. Donna Ramundo, political action coordinator for the area and president of the Nyack Teachers Association said all but one Rockland County school budget passed and a number of pro-education school board members were elected.

Coalitions were also the key to school budget success in Voorheesville. Working with parents, union members helped to not only pass the budget by more than 200 votes, but also elect a union-backed, pro-education candidate to the school board.

"The candidate we worked to get elected won by almost a two-to-one margin," said Voorheesville TA President Kathy Fiero.

The voting results also underscore the importance of local decision-making, said Iannuzzi. "The votes - both in favor and against school budgets - show that taxpayers want a say in how their local schools are run and how their tax dollars are spent," he said.

Parents and other New Yorkers "want to continue to make their own decisions about their property taxes and not give up local control over school funding to Albany," Iannuzzi said. (See article at right)

Every vote counts

Underscoring the importance of every single vote, several budgets failed by the slimmest of margins, including Duanesburg in Schenectady County (4 votes); Auburn in Cayuga County (3); and Suffolk County districts Hauppauge (5) and Shelter Island (3).

Voters rejected school budgets in 52 districts, which now have three options: resubmit the same budget for a second vote; offer voters an amended budget; or adopt a contingency budget.

If a spending plan is defeated a second time, a district automatically goes on a contingency plan, which this year caps spending increases at 3.36 percent.

Already, several districts have chosen to forgo a second vote and head straight to a contingency spending plan. The East Ramapo district, where voters rejected the proposed budget three to one, and the Newburgh district have both adopted an austerity budget. In East Ramapo, that will mean a reduction in 24 positions.

NYSUT analysts project that a combination of the state's economic situation and difficulty passing school budgets will result in upwards of 300 positions across the state lost to attrition or layoffs.

There may be help for districts facing austerity. Legislation sponsored by Sen. Steve Saland, R-Poughkeepsie, would exclude fuel costs from the contingency cap. The measure has passed both houses and is awaiting action by Gov. Paterson.

In districts where budgets failed, June 17 is the statewide date for re-voting. Visit www.nysut.org for updates on those voting results.

- Clarisse Butler Banks