Small schools aid suit stands
Judge refuses to dismiss action seeking extra state funding for 11 districts claiming hardships
By SCOTT WALDMAN, Staff writer
First published in print: Thursday, August 20, 2009
ALBANY - A judge has allowed a lawsuit seeking extra state funding for 11 small city school districts, including Albany, to move forward.
The state had sought to dismiss the lawsuit, filed on behalf of 92 parents and students, in state Supreme Court in Albany County.
The lawsuit, filed in October by the Association of Small City School Districts, argues that the state has underfunded the districts and caused their school tax rates to soar, which prevents the districts from being able to spend enough to offer a sound education. As a result, the districts are unable to close the achievement gap between their students and the children in more affluent districts, the lawsuit claims.