LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION supporting the ability of a school district to
accept international students on a tuition basis

WHEREAS, The entire upstate community of New York has experienced
declining populations, static tax bases and increased costs coupled with
unprecedented building of schools; and
WHEREAS, The financial pressure on small and rural schools is unat-
tainable without a larger tax base; and
WHEREAS, Rural schools have sparse populations and geographic imped-
iments that make mergers and consolidations impossible; and
WHEREAS, Private schools long have had the ability to bring interna-
tional students in for all four years of high school; and
WHEREAS, International students would subsidize their education
through the payment of tuition; and
WHEREAS, International students bring diversity, experiences and
culture to fellow students that otherwise would be absent in many public
schools; and
WHEREAS, There is a vast market of international students desiring
enrollment in New York State public schools; and
WHEREAS, There already exists stringent requirements to run interna-
tional student programs to ensure safety and standards; and
WHEREAS, Our neighboring country, Canada, allows international
students to be enrolled in public schools for all four years of high
school and has benefited in access of one billion dollars annually; and
WHEREAS, Higher education already draws international students to the
United States; and
WHEREAS, Many public schools would be able to overcome fiscal obsta-
cles and thereby maintain their status and remain viable through the
addition of international students for all four years of high school;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
support the ability of a school district to accept international
students on a tuition basis.