WHEREAS, the New York State Court of Appeals in 2006 ruled in response to the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) lawsuit that the state was failing to provide sufficient resources for public school students to receive the “sound basic education” that is their constitutional right; and

WHEREAS, although the CFE case was specific to New York City, its plaintiffs had argued for a statewide solution because students in many districts faced the same problem of inadequate resources; and

WHEREAS, the state in 2007 responded to the court decision by committing to add $5.5 billion in basic classroom operating aid, or foundation aid, over four years; and

WHEREAS, the state for two years met these obligations, increasing classroom aid by $2.3 billion, which led to important reforms around the state; and

WHEREAS, the state in 2009 froze aid as a result of the financial crisis, and in the two subsequent years, Governors Patterson and Cuomo cut a combined $2.7 billion from public schools; and

WHEREAS, even as the economy has stabilized, the state has failed to make up for these funding cuts or to follow the 2007 funding formula designed to meet its obligations under CFE; and

WHEREAS, New York State now owes its public schools $5.9 billion under the formula; this includes $2.5 billion due to New York City schools and which the city needs for critical initiatives such as to reduce class size, restore eliminated music and arts courses, establish high-quality after-school programs; meet the needs of disabled students and English language learners; and expand the number of community schools; and

WHEREAS, the Alliance for Quality Education (AQE) has launched a campaign called “We can’t wait,”  calling upon the state to get back on track with its funding commitments under the CFE court ruling; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the AQE campaign, another coalition, New Yorkers for Students’ Educational Rights, has sued the state to compel it to ensure that every school has sufficient funding to provide all students with a meaningful educational opportunity; plaintiffs in the suit include 11 of New York City’s Community Education Councils and statewide organizations such as the New York State Council of School Superintendents and the New York State School Boards Association; and

WHEREAS, New Yorkers for Students’ Educational Rights is represented in the lawsuit by the former CFE attorney, Michael Rebell, and in November won a court ruling allowing its case to proceed, a decision lauded by NYSUT; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the United Federation of Teachers calls upon the state to meet its constitutional obligations to students and fulfill its funding commitment under the CFE case, including paying the $2.5 billion owed to New York City schools; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the UFT will continue to support the AQE campaign and additionally supports the lawsuit by New Yorkers for Students’ Educational Rights demanding sufficient funding for all students.