New York must fix inequities in school funding

My husband and I decided to move from Massachusetts to upstate New York during the COVID -19 pandemic to raise our two children closer to their extended family, in a close-knit community that would enable them to thrive. We moved to my hometown of Auburn, where I had memories of a strong education system, sports program and a community that cares.

Our daughter Addison began first grade in a hybrid model, two days a week in person, and has been in this hybrid model all school year, which has fallen short of her education needs. As I learned more about why Auburn could not manage to keep kids in school five days a week, it became apparent that inadequate state funding was a big reason. It’s a longstanding situation that has led to staff and program cuts, closure of one of the two middle schools, and a lack of funding for enriched classes.

Looking deeper at the data, I grew angry to find that Auburn’s per-capita income is 36 percent lower than the state average, yet we are in the bottom 1 percent of per-pupil spending as a result of the archaic funding formula that is overdue for an overhaul. As a comparison, a neighboring district is able to spend nearly $10,000 more per student than Auburn, and as a result, they have been able to maintain five days a week of in-person schooling throughout the pandemic and their student body is thriving, not just surviving.

A state policy that disadvantages poorer school districts is simply unconscionable and deserves immediate action. We cannot sit idly by while New York state dictates funding levels that leave our children with less opportunity from the day they enter kindergarten. By nearly every measure, students in Auburn have the decks stacked against them — whether it’s the number of honors courses, graduation rates, or opportunities in sports and the arts.

As a parent of two young children newly starting out in this district, I am counting on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and lawmakers to fix this problem. This next budget must ensure equity in education for all the districts like Auburn that are faced with this discriminatory impact.

A state policy that disadvantages poorer school districts is simply unconscionable and deserves immediate action.