School Aid Rally Tomorrow
A bipartisan Education and Taxpayer Rally is scheduled for Saturday, February 28th from 11 a.m. to noon at Ellsworth W. Allen Park in Farmingdale, Garden City Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen reminded residents at the Feb. 24th meeting of the Garden City Board of Education.
Nassau County students comprise 7.62 percent of total state enrollment, but school districts never receive more than four percent of state aid. This year, school districts across Long Island are bracing for a potential cut of $147 million in education funding.
"Those who are staging the rally believe it is essential to communicate to Albany that people in Nassau County and across Long Island are aware of the situation and understand very clearly the impact on program and the impact on their taxes," Dr. Feirsen said.
Albert Chase, Garden City School District's assistant superintendent for business and finance, has estimated that Garden City will see a state aid decrease of nearly nine percent, which would total $465,701, if Gov. David A. Paterson's budget is passed. The exact amount will not be known until legislators approve the state budget.
Education and community leaders are expected to join Long Island's Senate majority members at the rally to protest Gov. Paterson's proposed cuts. The park is located on Motor Avenue in Farmingdale.
