NYSUT and its allies in the decades-long fight for fair and equitable funding in education are celebrating a huge victory this week.
When Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the state had reached an agreement to settle and discontinue the 2014 New Yorkers for Students' Educational Rights v. New York State case, she followed through on the 2021-22 budget commitment to fully fund the current Foundation Aid formula to school districts over three years, ending the State's prior opposition to this much-needed funding to our students.
“This closes a chapter that dates back to the first Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit in 1993,” said NYSUT President Andy Pallotta. “Going forward, the schools of New York will have the resources they need to provide the quality educational experience that all students deserve.
“Many dedicated unionists and activists worked for decades to get to this point,” he said, “and the real winners are the young people of this state.”
Last year, NYSUT launched a “Fund Our Future” campaign that included a bus tour of schools throughout the state. Union activists shared their stories about the consequences of inadequate funding for their students, their schools and their ability to do their jobs. The message was clear: Together, we can increase revenue to provide the education our students need and deserve.