FULLY FUND THE SCHOOL AID FORMULA

1/6/17

 FULLY FUND THE SCHOOL AID FORMULA

To the Editor:

           As a Mayor of a small, middle-class town that has doubled in size in the last 50 years, I understand the challenges experienced by the entire community in dealing with growth.  I recognize the problems the state has had in handling the growth of rural and suburban communities while at the same time dealing with declining populations in the state’s urban areas.  When it came to balancing these issues, the state recognized that fair and equitable funding needs to be provided, especially for our public education system.  However, the failure to fully fund the School Funding Formula has forced towns like Clayton to subsidize other school districts that receive so-called “adjustment aid.”  That is why I join with so many other local officials throughout the state in support of Senator Sweeney’s effort to fully fund the school aid formula.  I cannot understand how any elected official, in good conscience, could oppose fully and fairly funding our schools.

 Sincerely,

Tom Bianco   Mayor, Borough of Clayton