SYRACUSE -- "Protect our Kids, Not Millionaires," was the chant during a news conference at Fowler High School Thursday morning. Representatives of Citizen Action of New York and the Alliance for Quality Education were joined by parents, teachers, clergy and school leaders in an attempt to convince state lawmakers to restore Governor Cuomo's proposed cuts to education.
"A $14 million cut to Syracuse Schools, while the rich enjoy a $1 billion tax break is irresponsible and unacceptable," according to Tamika Jones-Cole who organized the news conference. Jen Polak, a parent of a child with special needs, is fearful of the impact 300 teacher layoffs pending in the Syracuse School District will have on her child.
9th grade math teacher Jake Taylor who was given a layoff notice last week said that while he feels he'll be okay, the students left behind will struggle. Taylor told CNY Central's Jim Kenyon that he's only been teaching at Fowler for two years and that he commutes from his home in Rochester. He says his wife is a teacher with the Rochester School District and is also facing the possibility of a layoff. They are expecting their first child in August. "I know in my heart I'll be OK... whether it's teaching or if I have to move to another profession, but it's the students who are losing out right now."
The news conference comes the day after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo visited Syracuse to defend his proposed budget being negotiated right now in Albany. It cuts state aid to education by 2.7%. Cuomo says he intends to live up to his campaign promise to cut spending without raising taxes or increasing borrowing.
New York State is currently facing a $10 billion budget gap.
