Statement of New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer.
Governor Cuomo deserves high marks for putting forth solid proposals that will help raise student achievement.
Proposals to provide full-day pre-kindergarten, extend the school day, and offer “wrap around” community services in schools all make perfect sense. We support them wholeheartedly.
While the governor appears to support local control, his speech was notable for its omission of any mandate relief for schools whatsoever.
We realize that the State of the State is a time of vision. That’s why we eagerly await the Governor’s upcoming budget proposal to see if these initiatives are supported with adequate resources.
Without adequate state funding or meaningful mandate relief, the governor’s ambitious proposals will fall victim to the budget realities facing New York schools.
