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Achieving equity in education is the Board of Regents and the Department’s top priority. Through the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act plan, we created a road map to ensure all students receive access to a high-quality education. State investments to implement equity initiatives are critical in realizing this mutual goal. While the Governor’s equity formula is no doubt well intended, it must be implemented in a manner that will focus on improving equity and supporting all students in our neediest school districts.ÌýAn investment in education is fundamentally necessary for both the strength of our workforce and the future of New York’s children.

However, we are extremely alarmed with the recommended funding level for New York State’s schools. The proposed $338 million Foundation Aid increase falls far short of what schools need to achieve equity, or even keep pace with inflation and demographic changes.

We applaud the Governor’s Dream Act proposal to ensure that children brought into our country have an opportunity to remain in our country, receive a quality education and have the opportunity to contribute to our economy.Ìý

The Governor’s commitment to the Child Victims Act is truly commendable.ÌýIt is a travesty that survivors of childhood sexual assault have been unable to bring their perpetrators to justice. We are hopeful that this injustice ends this year.Ìý

Further, the Governor’s school safety proposals will build on Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s work to ensure all schools are safe havens for our children.Ìý The Executive proposals provide schools and districts with the opportunity to collaborate with local stakeholders to better coordinate efforts to make our schools as safe as possible.

We laud the Governor for supporting expanded Pre-Kindergarten, Community School, after school, STEM, P-TECH, Early College High School, mental health, fair discipline and teacher recruitment initiatives.Ìý

We remain committed to establishing a teacher evaluation system that reflects the best interests of our children and educators. We look forward to learning more details of the Governor’s proposal and hope our continued work can inform this policy.Ìý

The Governor’s proposal is the first step in the process to develop the final budget. We will continue to engage in discussions with the Executive, State Assembly and Senate to ensure State Aid funding will meet the needs of every student throughout our State, particularly those in schools with the greatest needs.