Kingston City School District educators and administrators echoed a call for more social and mental health supports. NYSUT representatives and state lawmakers toured the district’s M. Clifford Miller Middle School, and Chambers Elementary School.
“I teach an interdisciplinary course called a ‘different voice,’ and for the first time, I have 17 students who suffer from anxiety,” said English teacher Lauri Naccarato, who heads the Kingston Teachers Federation. “It’s a constant parade of trying to teach and juggle the social-emotional needs students have … we need appropriate funding to get kids the help they need.”
An influx of English language learners also stretches Kingston’s purse strings. Owed $14.7 million in state funding, money to hire additional interpreters is in short supply. Additionally, a successful, integrated classroom model at the elementary school faces the chopping block.
“We have 500 English-as-a New-Language students in the district overall,” said social worker Edith Schwimmer, noting that just four years ago, the district only had 70.
Since the start of the New Year, NYSUT leaders have crisscrossed the state as part of its Fund Our Future bus tour to highlight the negative impact state underfunding exerts on schools. NYSUT representatives were joined on the Hudson Valley visit by Sen. Jen Metzger and a representative from the office of Assemblymember Kevin Cahill.
Currently, New York State owes some 400 school districts statewide $3.4 billion in education funding, a shortfall that has caused considerable pain. NYSUT is calling for a $2.1 billion increase in state school aid. A union proposal to increase taxes on ultramillionaires and billionaires could raise more than $12 billion in revenue as the state grapples with a $6.1 billion budget deficit.
“I feel like we’re living in a new gilded age,” said Philip Althouse, president of the Ellenville Teachers and School-Related Professionals Association, noting that although the economy is strong, public schools aren’t reaping the benefits. “Approximately 100 years ago, we had a progressive movement in their country — I think we need another one.”
“Every student should have a well-rounded education regardless of where they come from,” said Philippe Abraham, NYSUT secretary-treasurer. “ The message is clear — billionaires and ultramillionaires should be paying their fair share; our system benefits them, and the economy is booming.”