May 7, 2020 (NEW YORK CITY) — Today, 11 parent leader and advocate members of the City’s Fair Student Funding Task Force issued the following statement in response to the proposed cut of $100 million in Fair Student Funding for New York City schools:

As members of the City’s Fair Student Funding Task Force, we are gravely concerned about the proposed cut of $100 million in Fair Student Funding—the largest funding stream supporting New York City schools. Over the past year, we have studied the formula and have heard from principals, teachers, parents, students, and other stakeholders about the urgent need to increase Fair Student Funding. We heard from schools that were having difficulty providing students with disabilities and English Language Learners with the instruction they have a right to receive due to insufficient funding. We also heard from schools about the need for increased funding to support students in temporary housing and students living in poverty.

With school buildings closed, the needs of students—including students in temporary housing, English Language Learners, and students with disabilities—have only grown over the past few months, and inequities have only been exacerbated. When students return to school, they will need more support, not less. Mayor de Blasio stated that the “next school year is going to have to be the greatest academic year the New York City public schools have ever had,” and we wholeheartedly agree. Unfortunately, putting Fair Student Funding on the chopping block would take us in the opposite direction. We urge our federal, state, and city elected officials to work together to increase funding for our schools and ensure that there are no cuts to Fair Student Funding.

• Maria Bautista, Campaigns Director, Alliance for Quality Education

• Sheree Gibson, President, D29Q Presidents' Council & NYC Parent Representative, NYSED ESSA/Title I COPS

• Anita Gundanna, Co-Executive Director, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families

• Dr. Eduardo Hernandez, Vice-President, Community Education Council District 8

• Rebecca Kostyuchenko, Parent and Disability Advocate

• Randi Levine, Policy Director, Advocates for Children of New York

• NeQuan McLean, President, Community Education Council District 16

• Julisa Perez, Executive Director, IntegrateNYC

• Shino Tanikawa, Member, Community Education Council District 2

• Terrence Winston, Coordinator, Coalition for Community Schools Excellence

• Sarah Zapiler, Executive Director and Coach, IntegrateNYC