A multi-media campaign launched late last month by a coalition of teachers, parents, school board members and administrators in Monroe County strikes back at county lawmakers for their recent decision to divert $29 million earmarked for 24 suburban school districts.

The media blitz by the Monroe County Education Coalition comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed by the county school boards association to stop the controversial move, promoted by County Executive Maggie Brooks as the F.A.I.R. Plan, to cover local Medicaid costs.

"We teach our students to play fair," said Barbara Shapiro, a NYSUT Board member and president of the Pittsford District Teachers Association. "What kind of lesson does it teach our kids if the county legislature can make a last-minute deal to divert funds already promised to schools?"

The suit - filed with NYSUT's assistance Oct. 29 in state Supreme Court in Monroe County - makes the point that by diverting sales tax revenues intended for schools, the county would violate state tax laws, its own statutory responsibilities for the cost of social services and several county revenue-sharing agreements.

The suit also charges county legislators intentionally failed to provide the media with adequate notice of the September meeting during which the plan was passed, in clear violation of the state Open Meetings Law. A previous lawsuit to block the county plan was filed by the Monroe County School Boards Association.

The county's scheme is particularly troubling to NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue, a veteran teacher and labor leader in Monroe County before she was elected to the NYSUT post in 2005.

"They can't be playing 'now you see it, now you don't' with these districts, their taxpayers and our students," said Donahue, who led the Hilton TA and the Monroe County Federation of Teachers for more than 20 years.

The campaign includes 30-second video spots running on Rochester-area television stations that question how a plan can be called "fair" when it cuts resources promised to children's education; leaves school districts in the lurch after taxpayers have approved their budgets; and plays political games with $29 million in taxpayer funds.

New Web site

A Web site - www.Unfairtokids.org - also has been set up where the video can be viewed.

"The county executive hatched this plan, which is essentially a shell game with taxpayer dollars, and called a meeting without allowing for discussion or debate by the community or by the press," said Neil Czerniak, Brockport TA president and a father of two elementary students. "Since then, she has been using campaign funds to push this plan without acknowledging that it would leave schools in the lurch and property taxpayers holding the bag."

The Greece district, for example, would lose almost $6 million annually under F.A.I.R.

"Greece is a Contract for Excellence district," said Greece TA President Don Palozzi. "Much of the additional state aid we receive must be directed at certain programs aimed at improving student test scores. This plan will mean cuts in programs and services for our students."

Shapiro said the $50,000 campaign - subsidized by a NYSUT grant to the county teachers federation - counters "a relentless barrage of advertising and automated telephone calls" pushing F.A.I.R on Monroe County residents.

Shapiro said residents can go to the new Web site and fax county legislators, urging them to restore the school funds. Residents can also fax state lawmakers who represent Monroe County and ask them to stand up against the county plan.

- Matt Smith