Why Local Advocacy? Why Local Advocacy? Sounding board for districts with similar interests. Enhances commitment.Does not conflict with state or regional school board associations.Orients members to political landscape.Provides insight into other local districts.
Key Goals Driving R.E.A.D. Advocacy Key Goals Driving R.E.A.D. AdvocacyFair and sufficient funding for all districtsRelief from state and federal mandatesMore effective local school board function and controlRelief from standardized testsSpecific Focus (Past 3 Years)- Rolling back unfunded mandates, by making lawmakers aware of their actual costs
- Sharing cost saving ideas among the R.E.A.D. districts
- TRS and ERS pension fund shortfalls
R.E.A.D. created a template that itemizes and presents information on estimating the cost of unfunded mandates. R.E.A.D. created a template that itemizes and presents information on estimating the cost of unfunded mandates.Over 90 mandates are included, segmented into categories:
State, Federal and SED mandates are included. State, Federal and SED mandates are included.- Does not include mandates which R.E.A.D. feels are necessary district obligations.
- Does not include costs associated with Benefits (retirement system, health, etc.), Wick’s Law (over the life of the loan), Triborough and other major benefit, negotiation or construction costs.
The compilation is an objective view of mandate costs. - Each mandate has cost consequences whether or not they are beneficial.
- The list is continuously updated and revised to be a more accurate representation of mandate obligations.
- The most recent revision is an update developed in December 2009.
Be informed: Be informed: - We need to understand where and how funding is spent.
Responsible leadership: - We represent taxpayers. These mandates are paid for by local property taxes.
Accountability and transparency: - School districts must show how they spend money.
Each district compiles their own data. Each district compiles their own data. - NYSBBA and Westchester Putnam School Board Association (WPSBA) are helping to coordinate the effort.
Definitions for mandate have been developed so that districts are consistent in identifying costs associated with mandates.- Methods for estimating personnel hours and other costs, ST3 locations, etc. are provided to make cost calculations easier.
- Templates for estimating testing costs and Wick’s law costs are provided.
Categories, descriptions, and account codes Categories, descriptions, and account codes are provided. School districts provide actual amounts.Aid is subtracted from total costs.
In FY ‘08-09, the total cost for these unfunded mandates for seven districts was $94.4 million, or an average of 20% of the entire school budget. In FY ‘08-09, the total cost for these unfunded mandates for seven districts was $94.4 million, or an average of 20% of the entire school budget.
In FY ‘07-’08, the total cost for nine Westchester and Putnam Districts was $222.2 million dollars or an average of 16.3% of the entire school budget. In FY ‘07-’08, the total cost for nine Westchester and Putnam Districts was $222.2 million dollars or an average of 16.3% of the entire school budget.
State Costs for Prekindergarten, Primary, Secondary and Continuing Education
The numbers add up quickly for eight school districts... The numbers add up quickly for eight school districts... Over $587,881 in testing costs.Over $151,460 in internal audit costs.Over $541,093 in data warehousing costs.Over $287,338 in special education legal costs.Over $66,185 in Special Education (STAC) reporting.Over $118,000 in clerical costs associated with professional development & monitoring highly qualified teacher requirements.Over $209,779 in inspections, monitoring, and compliance (OSHA, DEC, elevators, fire safety, extinguishers).
Financial evidence of the burden of legislative actions and impact on schools and the tax payer. Financial evidence of the burden of legislative actions and impact on schools and the tax payer.Compelling financial argument to legislators and for legislators to use with others. Explanation provided to taxpayer.Going Forward –- Argument for involving superintendents and trustees in review of legislation so that they can identify hidden costs.
- Argument for financial calculation of the cost of bills before they become law.
- Argument in opposition to a highly restrictive tax cap.
Unfunded mandate reduction act, following the lines of the federal paperwork reduction act. Unfunded mandate reduction act, following the lines of the federal paperwork reduction act. - Requires a cost estimate for each new mandate from the legislature or the education department. These costs would be calculated for the different types of local districts and accumulated for a statewide total mandate cost.
Reduce school districts printing costs bill- Permits school districts to circulate and publish documents electronically, using district or BOCES websites. Paper copies of documents would be prepared and mailed only on request, on an ‘opt-in’ basis.
- NYSED would be required to accept the STACS special education reports in electronic form.
Legislation to reduce the cost of the new controller’s audits, which have cost taxpayers more to conduct than they have saved. - Reduce the frequency to every two years
- Streamline the requirements on districts who have had clean records for two cycles, to a half-cost audit.
Support for the bill allowing amortization of TRS payments (Member Abbate’s Bill Number A06309 - Same as State Senate Number S 4067).
How to Start an Local Advocacy GroupConsider…- Location
- Common issues
- Shared legislators
- Commitment (monthly meetings, website, goals)
How to calculate your unfunded mandate costs and participate in the larger initiative. How to calculate your unfunded mandate costs and participate in the larger initiative.
Email Karenzevin@croton-harmonschools.org for copy of unfunded mandate, testing, and Wick’s law template.
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