Issues: Education

Senator Mark Grisanti (R, I-60) today was joined by representatives of the District Parent Coordinating Council , Buffalo ReformEd, and other community leaders to urge the State Assembly to act on two pieces of legislation that would increase parents involvement and save taxpayers money in the City of Buffalo.

Bill S. 868 calls for moving the election of members of the City of Buffalo School Board from May to November, a measure that will improve voter turnout and save taxpayers over $100,000 by consolidating elections. The legislation also calls for extending the terms of current members of the Buffalo School Board to the last day of December rather than June, allowing for future terms of office to run from January through December.

State Senator Patty Ritchie visited Volney Elementary recently, to meet with 6th grade students who participated in the school’s Government Day.

As part of the visit, Senator Ritchie presented each student with a certificate, recognizing them for their participation. 

Senator Mark Grisanti (R, I-60) today announced that the Senate has passed bill S.1044 requiring the City of Buffalo's board of education to submit their annual school district budget to voters for approval prior to final adoption of the spending plan.    Senator Grisanti's introduction of this bill, combined with his recent introduction of legislation that calls for the annual election of school board members in Buffalo to be moved from May to November, are efforts to try and increase the community's participation and involvement with the Buffalo School District.

ALBANY – Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) recently awarded a $1,500 scholarship prize to Clarkstown South High School student Alana Kurtti as the winner of this year's Italian-American State Legislators Scholarship Program. 

The New City native stood out from her fellow applicants, boasting an impressive resume that included a 4.56 Grade Point Average (GPA), including her participation in activities outside of the classroom.  She currently serves as Captain of her Varsity Softball Team, President of the Greenhouse Club, and volunteers her time spare time fundraising for Operation Smile and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. 

The New York State Senate passed 14 regulatory reform bills today as the first part of a major initiative, that includes statewide public forums, to identify and eliminate thousands of costly and unnecessary government regulations that inhibit job creation and drive up local property taxes.

Teachers, parents, school superintendents and administrators from rural, urban and suburban school districts  provided testimony to state legislators today on the impact increased testing and new state and federal mandates are having on our public schools. 

The forum was organized by Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy and State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk, both of whom are former school board presidents. They were joined by Democratic and Republican colleagues from the Senate and Assembly.

Testimony was presented on the effects testing can have on children’s emotional health, the loss of hours of instructional time, and the financial strain caused by testing and other mandates at a time when school districts’ budgets are stretched to the limit.