Marcellino Addresses School Consolidation, Fundraising Ban

Many residents present at last Thursday's with State Senator Carl Marcellino, R-Syosset, at the took the opportunity to ask about education. Here are the highlights:

School Fundraising Ban Questioned

A member of the said the state recently shut down their efforts to raise money for a new swing set and asked why school districts are not allowed to do their own fundraising.

Marcellino couldn't explain exactly why, but said the general argument is that some districts may have populations more capable of raising money than others which would result in greater inequity. "The only way schools would be able to raise money is to deduct whatever they raise from their state aid. And that just keeps it flat," he said.

"We'd like to authorize districts to raise what they can and are also looking at a change in they way state aid is allocated. Right now the economically poorer districts get more, with a formula based on property value vs. income...There are a lot of inequities in the funding streams and the governor wants to make major shifts and adjustments in the way they do business."

Cuomo Moving Toward Consolidation

Governor Andrew Cuomo is seriously considering village, school, and water district consolidation, according to Senator Marcellino.

"In order for consolidation to be justified, it must show an educational benefit, according to the constitution, not just a cost benefit," said Marcellino, who added that he is generally in favor of consolidation.

"It's got to be done right and with negotiations with the community," he said.

Homeschoolers 'Disenfranchised' From District Programs

Donna Freeth said her son Julian was "disenfranchised" when the Northport-East Northport school board voted to exclude homeschoolers from participation in gifted and talented programs, while private school children are permitted.

"We want the services reinstated," she said, arguing that her son has a legal right to the programs through a principal called dual enrollment.

Senator Marcellino replied that the programs are open to all non-public students unless the school board votes otherwise, and that particulars would be a matter for the courts to decide. When it comes down to the bottom line, he said, "[the school district] actually loses aid when you take your kid out of school."

Freeth asked for Marcellino's help in encouraging the State Department of Education to clarify and enforce the law. He said he would continue looking into it but couldn't make any promises.