EdVANTAGE Blog

There have been  several news reports over the past day suggesting that a potential state deficit reduction plan was likely to include some actions affecting school districts.

The Albany Times Union Capitol Confidential Blog reported that Legislators were asking to see district-by-district “runs” of possible School Aid cuts.

Today’s Times Union reports, “Many observers suggested a final vote on a deficit reduction plan would come no earlier than Thursday — although one legislative source said it will happen by then or not at all. The main sticking point, said this individual, was between $200 million and $300 million of cuts, mostly to school aid.”

There were other reports that some School Aid payments might be delayed to help the state manage through expected cash flow problems in December.

Today’s Buffalo News reports, “the Legislature’s most powerful Democrat said Tuesday he agreed with Paterson that some school districts can afford to take a hit in their state aid funding in the middle of the year.”

“I think that schools can absorb some cuts,” said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. He would not say how deeply he might be willing to reduce school aid to help trim the state’s $3.2 billion deficit, but said poorer school districts would need to be held harmless.

Senate Democrats have continued to speak out against proposed cuts to education and health care.