There Are Alternatives to Education Cuts

It deeply offends me that our Democratic Governor, David Paterson continues to ignore sound alternatives addressing New York State’s deficits.  Instead, his proposed budget cuts slash $686 million from public education.

His cuts include $223 million from New York City’s schools. Fifty-one percent of the cuts target high poverty school districts and will impact the most vulnerable and neediest students. 
At this point, mid-year cuts would lead to larger class sizes, fewer arts programs and eliminate important services and education programs. 

These cuts would disproportionately hurt Black and Hispanic students.  It would deprive them of class materials and many other education resources.  Among Black and Hispanic students, the drop-out rate continues to grow.  Patterson’s cuts will make matters worse.