Markowitz, Education Advocacy Groups Rally Against School Budget Cuts

Yesterday, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined more than 100 parents and students at Borough Hall to call for an end to school budget cuts.

Other education advocay organizations such as New York Communities for Change, the Coalition for Educational Justice, the New York Charter Parents Association and the Alliance for Quality Education also were present to voice their concern about the negative impact funding reductions will have on the educational outcome for children in New York City public schools.

“In this economic climate tough choices need to be made,” said BP Markowitz. "But to anyone who says that these education cuts are an example of those sort of tough—but unfortunately necessary—choices, I would ask them this: Why should we balance the budget on the backs of children?

"Why should the consequences of those choices be felt by the most vulnerable members of society? And for what? To end a tax on millionaires?"

Over the last few years, public school budgets in New York City have been cut at least four times. Class size has increased, and many after-school arts and tutoring programs have been discontinued. Governor Cuomo has proposed to cut education by $1.5 billion statewide, on top of the $1.4 billion in cuts from last year.

This would amount to the largest cuts in the state’s history. Mayor Bloomberg has proposed eliminating over 6,000 teaching positions in New York City

"And perhaps the most important question of all: Why should we make a choice that will harm not just the children and parents of today but every resident of New York City and State in the future?" Markowitz said. "Because make no mistake—when we weaken our schools today, we are short-changing the future.”