Members and visitors present: Ed Bloch, Lou Ismay, Nicholas Fuller, Gene
Rowland, Bob Lamar, Bernard Fleishman, Joe Norton, Anne Marfey, Jean Cowan,
Shirley Drake Byers, Rev. Joyce Hartwell, Mussaret Chaudhrey, Elizabeth Pearson,
Earl Eichenberer, Al Siegel, Wendy Van Orden, Rabbi Aryeh Wineman, Nina
Pattison, Florence Skiff.
The meeting was called to order by B. Fleishman. Invocation was given by Bob Lamar.
There were no corrections or additions to March minutes.
Treasurer's Report: Account balance as of March 22 was $3621. Membership dues have been received from 36 members.
Frank Mauro gave us a summary of the last 5-6 years' work on school funding proposals and needs studies. There were lawsuits back as far as the 70's challenging school funding. The state constitution is not specific, it requires "free universal education". More recently in the early 90's and in 2001, lawsuits challenged the adequacy of funding for NYCity schools.
The number of children is not proportional to property values so property taxes are not fair. A better plan is needed.
A Midstate consortium of schools has been studying needs and costs. They started with an assumption of $8000 per pupil cost with more needed for special needs students, location variations, non-English speaking students.
The state would pay the difference between a uniform minimum property tax and the amount needed for education. A panel of professional consultants (teachers and others) developed estimates.
Another study by Standard & Poor used the successful schools model. They used four approaches, high performing schools, those already meeting required standards for two different years, and the most efficient, bottom cost schools. They have a program on their web site where figures can be derived using different weighting percentages for the extra costs for special needs. The results of the two studies did not come out with radically different figures. Some feel that not enough wes allowed for the special needs.
It is interesting to note that there are multiple districts in NYC and some have much greater ability to raise money through taxes than others. Some think that NYC could come up with more money for the poor districts, but CFE is pushing for a state wide program that would also help rural upstate districts and serve all NYS children. There is agreement that it could not be done in one year, a multiyear plan is required.
B. Fleishman said a number of organizations have been meeting together to plan to bring pressure on legislators from a moral perspective. On May 12 at 11:00 am in the Press Room at the Legislative Office Building they are going to have a press conference with as many faith leaders as possible. Dr. Eileen Lindner, Associate General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the USA will be the keynote speaker. Meetings with legislative leaders will follow.
Earl Eichelnberger said the Catholic Parochial school leaders are interested and involved.
The standard used for required education is the Regents standard.
Committee Reports:
Electoral Reform committee: There will be a meeting May 7 at "Prof. Java" on Wolf Rd.
Violence Committee: no report
Criminal and Economic Justice Committee, ARISE meeting April 29 at 453 N. Pearl.
ARISE gave awards to community programs at the last gathering. Joyce told about a very effective Community Accountability program for young people charged with crimes. The young person has weekly supervision by a group of community elders.
She commented the the Criminal Justice system is the largest employer in NYS The next ARISE Issues Convention will be May 4.
Lou Ismay had flyers about the May Day event plans, emphasizing the importance of Lagor Unions.
He also mentioned Earth Day and pointed out that while we don't feel close to atomic power plants, due to prevailing weather patterns we would be the first to get fallout.
Shirley Byers has just returned from a trip to Brazil. She said Brazillians were very disturbed about the U.S. preemptive strike, and the lack of international integrity.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:30.
Respectfully submitted,
Florence Skiff
Executive Committee Meeting Monday April 26 at 9:00 am at Friendlys, Rte 7. Next General Meeting will be Monday May 10, 9:00 am at Latham Community Baptist Church.
E-mail The Interfaith Alliance of NYS
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