Education forum brings school aid experts to Indian River

Pictured from left to right are Assemblywoman Addie Russell, Dr. Rick Timbs, executive director of the Statewide School Finance Consortium, Charles Szuberla, assistant commissioner at the New York State Education Department, and Billy Easton, executive director of the New York State Alliance for Quality Education.

Members of the Education Advisory Commission and residents of the North Country attended a public forum with state education experts to discuss school funding Thursday night. 

The event, organized by Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, featured Dr. Rick Timbs, executive director of the Statewide School Finance Consortium, Billy Easton, executive director of the New York State Alliance for Quality Education, and Charles Szuberla, assistant commissioner at the New York State Education Department.

Attendees, including school administrators, teachers, and parents, were given an opportunity to have questions about the state's school aid formula answered. 

"For high needs districts [the Gap Elimination Adjustment] has almost been eliminated," Easton said. "At this point, if you're advocating for the Gap Elimination Adjustment, you're not really advocating for the high needs districts." 

Easton recommended education advocates switch gears to focus on increasing foundation aid. 

"You can worry about those other issues until the cows come home, but if you don't follow the money those issues will mean nothing," said Timbs. "Without the money you're going nowhere."

Russell said, "School aid is the foundation holding up our entire education system in New York. I consider facilitating conversations like these a fundamental part of my job as a representative of the North Country." 

New York State Board of Regents member Beverly L. Ouderkirk will hold a listening session scheduled for May 13 at 6pm in the Potsdam High School auditorium to hear from members of the community, teachers, and school administrators on issues regarding curriculum.