NYS PTA Advocacy Newsbriefs... December 21, 2011
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NYS PTA Advocacy Newsbriefs

Departments of Education and Defense to Launch "Learning Registry" Tools and Community

The U.S. Departments of Education and Defense announced the launch of "Learning Registry," an open source community and technology resource designed to improve the quality and availability of learning resources in education. For more information on the Learning Registry, visit the community website: www.learningregistry.org. 

NYS Regents' 2012-13 Budget Proposals for High Need

This week the Regents released their state budget proposals for 2012-13. Of key interest is proposed reform of the state aid formula that would deliver 73% of any new state aid to high-need school districts across the state. The proposal seeks to reduce budget shortfalls in low-wealth districts and help to close the funding gap between poor and wealthy New York school districts. For more information on Regents' activities, go to www.regents.nysed.gov.

Engineering Essay Contest

The National Academy of Engineering is pleased to announce the EngineerGirl! website's 12th Annual Essay Contest. Students are asked to write about the role of engineering in providing safe and nutritious food. Details and rules can be found on the EngineerGirl! website: www.engineergirl.org/CMS/Contest/food2012.aspx. Submissions must be entered by 6:00 pm (EST) on March 1, 2012.

School Meal Nutrition Standards

The House of Representatives has approved a spending bill that would block government efforts to improve nutrition standards in school meals. The food industry says the standards would have required companies to change products in ways not acceptable to children. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack pledged that students still will have more fruit and vegetables, grains and low-fat dairy and less salt. bit.ly/uJXKhG.

Synthetic Drug Control Act

The House of Representatives has voted to ban more than 30 synthetic drugs, including "bath salts" and "spice." The Synthetic Drug Control Act would make it illegal to manufacture or dispense the drugs. For more information, you can go to: www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/125xx/doc12545/hr1254.pdf.

Get $mart on Energy

The New York Energy $mart Students Program is an opportunity for NYS educators to learn about energy and its relationship to environmental and economic issues through free workshops offered across the state. Current workshop topics include "energy forms and sources, energy efficiency and renewable energy." To learn more call 1-877-NY-SMART (Option 6), email or visit www.getenergysmart.org.
 

Protecting the Environment from Home

Download a copy of the new Energy Action at Home resource booklet [PDF] to learn how to make wise energy decisions
and protect the environment. The booklet includes a self-assessment survey on home energy use and savings. 
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December 21, 2011


 

Fiscal Action and School Funding

Recent state government actions have significant repercussions for school funding for 2012-13.
 
First, a recent measure has alleviated the burden of the MTA payroll tax on school districts in seven counties on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley. As of January 1, 2012, all public and private schools and small businesses with 25 or fewer employees will be exempt from paying this tax.
 
Second, the Governor and legislature have approved a major "tax-restructuring" bill designed in part to make up $2 billion of a projected $3.5 billion state deficit for next year. Since that projected deficit included $805 million in additional school aid promised as part of last year's 2-year school funding plan, it would seem this law ensures that schools will now receive that funding. Funding concerns continue, however, as the economic gains from tax reform remain to be seen, and the even $805 million seems unlikely to offset the fiscal crisis for all the school districts that have cut budgets to the bone and depleted their reserves, and now face funding their schools under the duress of state-imposed tax caps.
   
 NYS PTA supports equitable funding for all schools that will level up low-wealth districts without penalizing higher-wealth districts. We must continue, therefore, to advocate for adequate school funding as we monitor the results of fiscal reforms.
"Advocacy is at the heart of PTA's mission and vision. Taking action provides both parents and PTA leaders with the resources to become more involved with their community at home and their community across the nation."  
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