City Wide Council on High School -- Opposes School Based Budget Cuts

Passed Unanimously, Meeting of January 13, 2008

THE CITYWIDE COUNCIL ON HIGH SCHOOLS

RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO SCHOOL-BASED BUDGET CUTS AND TO JOIN THE “KEEP THE PROMISES COALITION” FIGHTING TO OPPOSE BUDGET CUTS

WHEREAS the Citywide Council on High Schools is a body of 10 elected parent members and one appointed student member created by Chancellor’s Regulation D-160 to “advise and comment on educational and instructional policy involving high schools;”

WHEREAS New York City has imposed an immediate 1.75 percent cut to schools;

WHEREAS a $100 million, mid-year cut will disrupt schools’ programs, schedules and staffing;

WHEREAS even if mid-year cuts were a last resort, opening the NYC Department of Education books would demonstrate whether the Central Administration could take these cuts, rather than imposing them on the schools;

WHEREAS the Mayor’s 2009 budget proposal cuts NYC education by $324 million;

WHEREAS the state budget proposes to give city schools nearly $200 million less than was expected in the Contract for Excellence, stalling progress in class size reduction, full-day Pre-K expansion, improving middle schools, programs for English language learners and other programs and services; and

WHEREAS the state is also proposing to cap building aid, which will slow school construction; thus be it

RESOLVED that the Citywide Council on High Schools opposes mid-year budget cuts to New York City’s public schools; and be it

RESOLVED that the Citywide Council on High Schools opposes school-based budget cuts already planned for next school year; and be it

RESOLVED that the Citywide Council on High Schools joins with other parents, community organizations, advocates, clergy, and labor in the “Keep the Promises Coalition,” in order to fight city and state education budget cuts now and in the foreseeable future.

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Parent Views on School Conditions and Public School System

Yesterday Class Size Matters released a report that shares the results of "..an independent parent driven-survey..," of school conditions and school system. Click image to download report.

Strycker's Bay/LACASA Vision for Schools

The vision for an ideal school would first and foremost promote a sense of community and collaboration among school administrators, teachers, parents, children and community partners.

Cooperation and collaboration among all stakeholders will promote a stimulating learning environment for students, staff, parents and community resulting in:

Teachers and Administrators working in partnership to develop and deliver stimulating and meaningful curriculum

Parents will trust school educators, administrators and community partners, insuring their cooperation and support

Community Partners will provide and coordinate year round extended and out of school learning and enrichment programs for all students

The school, as a community will work on setting high goals and expectations for children. This will help build confidence in their abilities, develop their work ethic, and fuel academic and personal growth. Furthermore, activities will be designed to help students achieve their academic potential regardless of their learning abilities. This will insure a sense of accomplishment for all students. To achieve this:

Curriculum would promote the discovery of student’s individual strengths, skills and interests

Provide a safe and nurturing environment for children to express themselves freely and without concern for criticism.

Finally our vision for the ideal school setting is…

A SCHOOL WHERE LEARNING IS ULTIMATE FUN!