EDUCATION COALITION FILES NEW LAWSUIT
The SSFC is among members of a coalition that filed a
new lawsuit challenging Gov. Cuomo,
State Education Finance System
• Former CFE Litigator Michael Rebell Launches New Legal Effort,
New Yorkers for Students’ Educational Rights
• Dr. Rick Timbs: “It is unfortunate another lawsuit is needed,
but we are left with no choice’’
The Statewide School Finance Consortium (SSFC) has joined a coalition of statewide
education stakeholder organizations and 15 parents from throughout New York State in
filing suit to enforce the state constitution’s guarantee that all children have an equal
opportunity to receive a “Sound, Basic” public education.
The lawsuit, entitled New Yorkers for Students’ Educational Rights (NYSER) v. The State
of New York, was filed in State Supreme Court in Manhattan today (Feb. 11). It is being
led by Michael A. Rebell, the attorney who successfully brought the Campaign for Fiscal
Equity v. State of New York case.
The suit alleges (among other things):
• That classrooms are increasingly swelling with students, at a time when state standards
dictate the need for more individualized attention and support
• That tutoring and other programs for students who are suffering academically and/or
struggling to meet state standards aren’t being offered because schools cannot afford them
• That art, music and other extracurricular activities have been cut back or eliminated
entirely, along with college and career guidance supports, to the detriment of students
“It is unfortunate another lawsuit is needed, but we are left with no choice. The fact of the
matter is our state government has been unwilling or unable to honor its responsibility to
students for years now,’’ said Dr. Rick Timbs, SSFC’s Executive Director.
“NYSER’s goals are the same as SSFC’s goals: to secure fair, equitable, adequate and
sustainable funding for schools. We must secure much-needed reforms to the state’s
system and formula for financing schools to best meet students’ educational needs,’’ Dr.
Timbs added.
“We look forward to working with Michael Rebell and the other stakeholder
organizations that make up NYSER. We are all want the same outcome.’’
For more information about the NYSER lawsuit, go to: www.NYSER.org.
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SSFC Executive Director Dr. Rick Timbs is available to speak with reporters and editors.
Contact him at rtimbs@statewideonline.org or call Margaret McCormick at
315-373-8047 to arrange an interview.
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The Statewide School Finance Consortium (SSFC) is an organization of 418 public
school districts whose mission is to bring equity to the distribution of New York State
educational aid. SSFC membership is largely comprised of school districts from average
and low-wealth communities that receive a disproportionate share of state funding in
comparison to high-wealth regions of New York. The reform of the state aid process will
help ensure that all of New York's children receive the same educational opportunities
regardless of the wealth or location of their community. Visit us online at:
www.statewideonline.org
