City Newspaper Archives - 11/2007
POLITICS: Alesi, superintendents meet to discuss FAIR
Published by Jeremy Moule on Nov 19, 2007
The school districts are suing the county, claiming that the FAIR Plan violates the Morin-Ryan sales tax sharing agreement, which is written into state law. The FAIR Plan calls for a 50-percent cut in the schools' share of the sales tax revenue.
At issue is $29 million in funding. If the county wins the lawsuit, the schools lose the money. If the schools win, the county loses the money - and goes right back into debt.
Alesi said he'll work to help either side overcome funding shortfalls. Beyond that, no real details emerged. He did mention lawmakers' plans to include more funding for education in the state budget, but also warned of an expected $4 to $5 billion gap the state faces.
Schools, meanwhile, are starting to plan for the immediate funding loss they'll see after January 1 because of the FAIR Plan, said West Irondequoit Superintendent Jeff Crane. There are districts that will have to consider cuts and layoffs, he said.
