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Media Advisory
Friday, January 29, 2016
Contact:
Mitch Schwartz, (914) 330-1026, mschwartz@skdknick.com
Jessica Mokhiber, (518) 573-0516, jmokhiber@necharters.org
CHARTER SCHOOL FAMILIES UNITE!
OVER 1,000 CHARTER SCHOOL SUPPORTERS RALLY IN ALBANY AT 12TH ANNUAL CHARTER SCHOOL ADVOCACY DAY
Albany, NY – Over 1,000 charter school parents, students and teachers from all over New York will head to Albany to rally for funding equity on Tuesday, February 2 for the 12th Annual Charter School Advocacy Day, co-hosted by the New York City Charter School Center and the Northeast Charter Schools Network, officials announced today. Charter School Advocacy Day comes just weeks after Governor Cuomo announced support for basic, common fixes to the charter funding formula in the State of the State and his budget language.
This year, State Majority Leader John Flanagan, State Senator Jeffrey Klein, State Assembly Member Marcos Crespo and a range of legislators from both chambers and both parties, representing diverse regions and constituencies, will call for funding equity for all public schools in our state. Students will also speak and perform throughout the day. Following the rally, participants will fan out across the Capitol to meet with lawmakers individually to push for funding parity and facilities dollars for schools that do not currently receive support for their buildings.
Who:
Over 1,000 charter school students, parents and teachers
NYS Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia
NYS Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan
NYS Senator Jeffrey Klein
NYS Assembly Member Marcos Crespo
Further elected officials to be announced
What: 12th Annual Charter School Advocacy Day
When: Tuesday, February 2, 2016; kickoff at 10am
Where: Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Empire State Plaza Concourse Level, Room 130; legislative meetings with lawmakers to take place throughout the day.
Background: Statewide on average, charter school students receive 75 cents on the dollar compared to students in district schools. The gap in funding is worse in places like Buffalo, where charter children only receive 60 cents on the dollar. In Rochester, it’s 68 cents on the dollar. Roughly one quarter of charter schools in New York City and all charters outside of New York City are denied access to state facilities funding. They are therefore forced to spend resources on paying rent or mortgage, instead of using those resources to provide great public education to children in New York.
Participating schools and families will be showing unified support for New York State’s charter schools on social media. Using the hashtags #120KStrong, #CharterFamiliesUniteand #BuildingEqualityNow, charter supporters are aiming to spread the word to lawmakers and the public that we’re a strong movement and deserve funding parity!
About the New York City Charter School Center: The New York City Charter School Center is an independent non-profit committed to fostering an environment in which public charters can open and flourish, and, through their innovative approaches, provide models for improving all public schools. The Charter Center helps new charter schools get started, supports existing schools, and engages the charter school community around key issues. Learn more about the New York City Charter School Center at www.NycCharterSchools.org.
About the Northeast Charter Schools Network: The Northeast Charter Schools Network is the membership and advocacy organization for the more than 250 charter schools in New York and Connecticut. Its mission is to support and expand high quality charter schools. www.necharters.org
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