NY teachers union files lawsuit over state withholding school aid | Politics

He added that the state is awaiting federal help to offset an estimated $62 billion revenue loss over a four-year period. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said New York needs at least $30 billion in aid to erase a budget deficit that he says is due to the pandemic. 

“In fact, the state has paid nearly 100% of funds to school districts,” Klopott said. “We will work with our partners in government to address any remaining gaps in federal assistance and, in the absence of federal funding, any future actions will take school district need into consideration — NYSUT should stop with the nonsense and lies, and focus on Washington and the federal funding we need, not distract attention.” 

Later in the day, the state Division of Budget announced that no school funding would be withheld in September. But NYSUT noted that there has been funding withheld over the last few months, which should be paid to the school districts. 

Jillian Witchey, president of the Auburn Educational, Secretaries and Paraprofessionals Association, said she was “pleasantly surprised” to learn of NYSUT’s lawsuit. While she acknowledged it’s unfortunate because of the reductions in state aid, she said it was needed because of the “devastating” cuts school districts made due to the lack of funding. 

“They’re doing it on behalf of districts,” Witchey said. “It’s going to help districts and more importantly, it’s going to help the kids. It’s a hard time to work in education, but it’s a good time to be a member of NYSUT when they do something like this.”