There's still time to learn about the GEA, call lawmakers

School districts across New York, including Marcellus, have been forced to make devastating cuts to educational programs as they adjust to rising costs that are outpacing revenue coming from New York state, thanks to the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA).

The GEA law was introduced in 2010-11 as a way to close the state’s then $10 billion budget deficit. Under the legislation, a portion of the funding shortfall at the state level is divided among all school districts throughout the state and reflected as a reduction in school district state aid.

The GEA has left a hole in many school district budgets — including in Marcellus — in recent years. In the Executive Budget Proposal for 2014-15, which state lawmakers are currently considering, the GEA is continued. It shows up as a $1.3 million loss of aid for Marcellus.

The governor and legislative leaders are attempting right now to resolve major issues in order to enact an on-time state budget before the start of the new state fiscal year next week. 

There is still time to influence their decisions. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

WRITE AND CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS: Community advocates must speak up now, on behalf of their students and their schools, or risk losing the high level of local public education that they’ve come to expect. Check out our online advocacy toolkit, which has information about how to reach out to your elected officials.

WATCH THIS VIDEO, produced by the Capital Region BOCES Communications Service, which explains what the GEA is all about and how it hurts schools.