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An online site, votervoice.net, part of the two school board's association website, includes a full page letter for all to add their own input to and then email to their legislators.
The letter takes the lawmakers to task for what it says is severely underfunding of schools.
They also point out that despite the promises from legislators, during the 2016-17 school year, schools will need an additional $1.7 billion in state aid just to maintain their current staffing, because of "draconian" cuts to funding.
The $991 million increase in the 2016-2017 Executive Budget significantly underestimates the level of funding needed to cover annual expenses, the letter says.
The budget, the letter states, currently shortchanges Westchester and Putnam school districts by $27.4 million with a statewide loss of $433.6 million this year, and $9.6 billion cumulatively. Yet the Executive Budget only allocates $189 million, thereby reducing, but not eliminating, this state seizure of funds.
For information, visit on the move to lobby lawmakers, or on the funding shortfall, click here.
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