“For the last several months, I’ve been hearing from school administrators in my district about how devastating this year’s school aid cuts were to their curriculums and the education of their students. It’s become increasingly more obvious that rural, low wealth schools that are unable to raise significant funds from property taxes were unfairly targeted by the cuts because of their heavy reliance on school aid,” Assemblyman Blankenbush said. “I’ve written the Governor and the Commissioner about the need for revisions to the school aid formula, and this meeting was an opportunity for reiterate our concerns in person.”

Katie Compos, a representative from the Governor’s office, joined the meeting via conference call and Anthony Bottar, a member of the Board of Regents from Central New York, was also in attendance. The Board of Regents recently voted to recommend to the Governor a change to the school aid formula that would provide a more fair distribution of aid to rural schools.

“I feel that both the Commissioner and the Governor’s representative were receptive to our concerns and recommendations. I am optimistic that this year’s budget will be fairer to our local schools,” the assemblyman added.

Following the meeting, the Assemblyman talked to the Commissioner about his concerns with a new mandate that requires all students, even special education students, to obtain a Regents diploma. The Commissioner acknowledged his concerns and said that he has been hearing about this issue all over the state.

“I will continue pushing the Board of Regents and the Department of Education to rescind this mandate. It simply does not make any sense that a special education student who is just learning important life skills should have to spend time taking a Regents test, which he or she will never pass. Moreover, it’s unfair to these students to require them to be in school, yet give them no chance to obtain any kind of a diploma,” Assemblyman Blankenbush said.

“This is outstanding news for the North Country,” said Blankenbush. “Any investment in the North Country will have a tremendous impact on this region, but this kind of capital will truly transform our economy, keeping it economically prosperous and competitive. I’d like to thank the North Country Regional Economic Development Council for all its hard work and the leadership that helped identify a cohesive and unique vision for our region’s best assets.”

Blankenbush commended the NCREDC for its ability to unite the vision for the vast and widespread economic region, tapping into its current strengths. NCREDC took cues on what is currently working and successful in the North Country, emphasizing and revamping agriculture, tourism and small-business enterprise.

Blankenbush noted that the plan takes into account the economic importance of Fort Drum on the greater Watertown area. Defense has played a large part in the area’s economy, and the NCREDC’s plan integrates a $4 million affordable rental housing plan into the proposal. Other local investment in Blankenbush’s district included $900,000 that is being diverted to the Village of Gouverneur to improve water delivery at the Kinney Drugs Distribution warehouse, a large employer in the region.

The North Country, despite being one of the least-populated regions in the state, has many benefits and assets. With the ever-increasing importance of a revenue-generating export strategy for the state, theNorth Country’s close proximity to Canada and easy access to the St. Lawrence Seaway will be critical.

To prepare for budget negotiations, I recently held a meeting with several school superintendents and school business managers from the North Country area. This meeting was an eye-opener for me in regard to the extent that this year’s school aid cuts have affected North Country schools.

One of the most important pieces of information that came out of these meetings is the impact of school aid cuts on districts that rely heavily on school aid because of their low property tax incomes. For example, South Jefferson, with an enrollment of 1,914, has a 46% poverty rate. In 2011, their state aid was cut 10.65%, or $3.1 million. This amounts to a $1,574 cut per pupil. In order to make up this lost revenue, South Jefferson would have had to raise property taxes by 49%!

To balance their budget, 18 instructional positions have been eliminated since 2010, including 6 supplemental math and reading teachers and 5 elementary teachers. In addition, 23 support staff have been eliminated.

In contrast, Locust Valley School District, which is located on Long Island and has a similar enrollment to South Jefferson, has a 10% poverty rate, and therefore relies less on school aid. In 2011, their school aid was cut just 1% or $747,715 dollars. This amounts to a $331 cut per pupil. To make up the lost revenue, Locust Valley would have only had to raise taxes by 1.12%.

What these examples show is that low wealth rural school districts that rely heavily on school aid are being unfairly impacted by school aid cuts. What’s more is that these schools have no way to make up the lost revenue because of the property tax cap. As a result, instructional programs are being cut, jobs are being lost, and students’ educations are being negatively affected.

Several superintendents have recommended that the Gap Elimination Adjustment should consider the district’s ability to raise local revenue. Such a change could be made by adding a measure to the GEA formula that includes a minimum and maximum reduction based on a district’s total levy. For example, a GEA of even 30% of South Jefferson’s total levy would have reduced their GEA by over $1 million, instead of the $3 million that was enacted. This measure would go a long way in ensuring ALL school districts bear school aid cuts equally.

Another important fact that came out of my meetings with school administrators is the need for foundation aid to be unfrozen.  As my constituents are aware, the 122nd Assembly district includes Fort Drum, a military installation that continues to grow. And with deployments being reduced from 12 months to 9 months and a “full house” expected this spring at Fort Drum, the area is preparing for an influx of more families in the next year. More families mean more students attending our local schools.

This influx of new students is already being felt by schools in the Fort Drum area this year. Unlike most districts in the North Country, Indian River is not getting smaller. In just two years, their enrollment has increased by 800 students, and the district is expecting an additional 300 students next year as new homes open up on post. The district had to hire 25 new teachers for the 2010-2011 school year. Carthage School District is in a similar position. Carthage has seen 300 new students enter the district in the last 3 years.

However, while enrollment is rising in these districts, foundation aid has been frozen at the 2008 level, based on enrollment numbers taken in 2007. For Indian River, the enrollment increases are costing the district $3.4 million. Again, Indian River, which has a high poverty rate outside of the post, cannot make up this revenue because of the property tax cap. And despite having 300 new students enter the district in the last 3 years, Carthage’s foundation aid has been frozen at $23 million since 2008.

Last week, I sent a letter to Governor Cuomo and the Commissioner of Education, John King to relay some of the concerns, recommendations and statistics that were addressed at my meeting with school officials, as well as in subsequent meetings with administrators from Indian River and South Jefferson School Districts.

I also urged the Governor and the Commissioner to consider unfreezing foundation aid and letting the formula run as the measure was enacted in 2008. Not only would this help the school districts surrounding Fort Drum in meeting the educational needs of their growing student population, but it also would help the small rural districts in absorbing the blow from the Gap Elimination Adjustment.

Changes to the GEA and the reinstatement of Foundation Aid are of critical importance to the rural schools in my district. I’m hoping the Governor hears the voices of rural New York educators and legislators and follows up with a school aid formula that is fairer to rural, low wealth school districts.

“In my opinion, with this most recent mandate, the Board of Regents has gone too far. First, it was requiring ALL students, including special education students, to get a Regents diploma or get nothing, and now four hour tests for 7 year olds? At what point does education take a priority versus testing?” the Assemblyman said.

Just last week, the Assemblyman met with a middle school special education teacher who expressed her deep concerns about requiring special education students, some of who read at a kindergarten level, to get a Regents diploma. The teacher told the Assemblyman that instead of teaching life skills, such as counting money, she has to spend important educational time giving her students Regents exams in subjects such as algebra and global studies.

“We wouldn’t expect a student with a physical disability to run a mile, so how can we expect a student with a severe learning disability to not only take, but pass the Regents? It doesn’t make sense,” the Assemblyman said. “I urge the Board of Regents to reconsider their mandates and consider the education of students over statistics.”

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The text of the letter is below:

November 29, 2011

Ms. Merryl H. Tisch
Chancellor, NYS Board of Regents
Regents Office
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234

Dear Ms. Tisch,

I am writing to you to express my concerns in regard to recent requirements issued by the New York State Board of Regents, specifically, requiring all students, even special education students, to obtain a Regents diploma in order to graduate, as well as four hour reading testing for children in grades 3 through 8.

Last week, I met with a middle school teacher from my district who is deeply concerned about a Board of Regents requirement that ALL students, including those with severe learning disabilities, to obtain a Regents diploma in order to graduate high school. Most of the students in this teacher’s class read on a kindergarten or first grade level; therefore, their lessons focus on life skills, such as counting money. It’s unfathomable that these students could even take, let alone pass, all the Regents exams necessary to graduate. Yet, instead of focusing on teaching her students life skills, this teacher must spend important educational time giving her students Regents exams in subjects such as algebra and global studies.

Furthermore, I believe that this requirement will result in more students simply dropping out of school, their thought being, “what’s the point of sticking it out 13 years, unable to obtain the required score on one or two Regents exams, and end up with nothing?”

We wouldn’t expect a student with a physical disability to run a mile, so how can we expect a student with a severe learning disability to not only take, but pass the Regents? In my opinion, it doesn’t make sense.

In regard to the new testing schedule for elementary and middle school students, I can’t help but wonder why such lengthy tests are necessary. Can a student’s proficiency in reading not be determined in a two hour test? Requiring a 7 year old to focus on reading and answering questions for four hours is simply unrealistic.

I urge the Board of Regents to reconsider recent mandates, especially those that require even special education students to receive a Regents diploma and four hour testing for elementary and middle school students.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions in regard to this request.

Sincerely,

Ken Blankenush

Member of Assembly

122^nd Assembly District

CC:

Commissioner of Education, John King

During this Thanksgiving and holiday season, I’d like to take a moment to encourage my constituents to volunteer their time or make a donation to help out a neighbor or family in need.

According to a recent story on YNN, the Salvation Army is in need of volunteers for their annual Thanksgiving, which hosts more than 500 people. The organization says it needs volunteers to help cook, serve and clean, especially since they anticipate more people than ever coming for Thanksgiving dinner. To volunteer at the Watertown Salvation Army, call 782-4470. The Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 11 am until 2 pm.

Other Thanksgiving dinners in the area that might need volunteers include:

• Community Wide Thanksgiving Dinner, First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur, 34 Grove St., 12 noon. The dinner is free and pick-up and deliveries are available. Call 287-2440 to make a reservation or to volunteer.
• The Lowville United Methodist Church will also host a free Thanksgiving dinner starting at 12 noon. Call 376-2123 for more information or to volunteer,
• Community Thanksgiving Feast, Carthage Elks Lodge, 11:30-1:30 pm. The dinner is free and deliveries are available in the immediate Carthage area. Call 493-4043 to make a reservation or to volunteer.

My staff and I are also collecting donations of new and gently used coats, hats, gloves, scarves and mittens at my district office in Carthage. We’ll be taking donations through December 15^th, and then all items will be given to the St. James Food Pantry in Carthage for distribution. You can also drop off items to my insurance office, B.E.L. Associates, on State St. in Watertown.

Whether you can volunteer your time for a holiday dinner or make a donation for a needy person, I hope that you will take the opportunity to help out the less fortunate in our community this holiday season.

“My staff and I want to do something, even if it’s a small gesture, to help out the less fortunate residents in the greater Carthage community this winter. If you have winter clothing that your children have outgrown or if you have a coat that you simply don’t wear anymore, please bring it by my office so that our neighbors are warm this winter,” the Assemblyman said.

The Assemblyman will be accepting new and gently used coats, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves through December 15^th. His office is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

Constituents in the Watertown area can also drop off items at the Assemblyman’s insurance office, B.E.L Associates, 1717 State St., Watertown. B.E.L. is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

“In 2001, Upstate New York accounted for 43.4% of the state’s population and should have had 64.93, or 65, Assembly seats. Instead, upstate was only allocated 64 seats—essentially losing one representative in the Assembly,” the assemblyman testified. “In contrast, New York City’s population was 42.3% of the state’s total and should have been allocated 63.3 seats. Yet New York City’s representation in the Assembly currently stands at 65 seats. In 2002, upstate New York had about 206,000 more people than New York City, yet had one LESS Assembly seat.”

Assemblyman Blankenbush commented that the redistricting process 10 years ago was unfair to the upstate and Long Island residents, who both lost an Assembly member, while New York City gained 2 representatives.

He also said that not much has changed in the last 10 years. Upstate still has 43.2% of the state’s population, which should mean that this region should have 65 Assembly members. New York City, on the other hand, still stands at 42.2% of the state’s population, and therefore should have 63 representatives in the Assembly. And whether or not prisoners end up being counted in their place of origin, or in the district they are incarcerated, these numbers still stand.

“For the last 10 years, upstate New York has been cheated out of an Assembly member, while New York City has unfairly enjoyed the advantage of having two extra representatives in the Assembly chamber,” the assemblyman added. “I am hopeful that LATFOR recognizes this discrepancy this time around and returns an Assembly member to upstate New York so that the MAJORITY of New Yorkers are fairly represented in the Assembly.”

Earlier this year, Assemblyman Blankenbush spoke at the LATFOR hearing in Syracuse about the importance of a keeping the 23^rd Congressional District intact. He also successfully lobbied LATFOR to hold a redistricting hearing in the North Country.

These tragedies are sobering reminders about the importance of hunting and gun safety. As you head out into the woods in search of your trophy buck or Thanksgiving dinner, remember safe hunting guidelines:

• Assume every gun is loaded.
• Control the muzzle. Point your gun in a safe direction.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
• Be sure of your target and beyond.
• Wear blaze orange.

Wearing hunter orange saves lives. Because blaze orange looks bright to humans, but not most game animals, and looks like nothing seen in nature, it prevents other hunters from mistaking a person for an animal, or shooting in your direction. Hunters who wear hunter orange are seven times less likely to be shot than those who don’t wear it.

Other hunting safety measures that could save your life include:

• Tell someone where you will be hunting and hunt in familiar areas if you are alone.
• Check the weather before you head out and dress properly for the conditions.
• Get help dragging out your deer if you can’t handle it yourself. Hunters can die from heart attacks as a result of exertion.

One bill I am supporting in the Assembly, A. 4058, would authorize children 10 years or older to load and fire a rifle, shotgun or pistol at a shooting range while under the supervision of a qualified person, but increases the age from 18 to 21 of the person who may serve as the supervisor of such child.

I encourage my constituents to join a local sportsmen club. These organizations not only provide social outlets for sportsmen, but also emphasize hunting and gun safety.

As always, if you have a state issue or concern you’d like to discuss, feel free to contact me at my district office, 315-493-3909, email me at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us, or stop by my office, 15 Bridge St. in Carthage.

However, federal funding for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is expected to be cut this year almost in half: from $534.4 million in 2010-2011, to $250 million for 2011-2012. As a result, several changes are expected to the HEAP program this year. The period during which regular and emergency HEAP payments will be available this season is scheduled to be two months shorter than last year, and the amount of assistance will be much less. HEAP will not open this year until Nov. 16, and the emergency component of the program will not be open until Jan. 3, 2012. The state has scheduled a HEAP closing date of March 16, 2012 for regular and emergency benefits.

This coming heating season, eligible applicants may receive one regular benefit, one emergency fuel benefit and one emergency electric benefit. If you need an application for HEAP, contact your local Social Services or Office for the Aging: Jefferson Cty Social Services, 782-9030, Jefferson Cty. Office for the Aging, 785-3191; Lewis Cty. Social Services, 376-5400, Lewis Cty Office for the Aging, 376-5313; Oswego Cty. Social Services, 963-5288, Oswego County Office for the Aging, 349-3484; St. Lawrence Cty. Social Services, 379-2303.

With these changes to the HEAP program, unfortunately, people may find themselves cutting back on their heat. If you know an elderly or disabled person in your neighborhood, check on him or her every now and then. No one should be living in the cold.

Secondly, people may turn to alternative sources of heat for their homes, such as kerosene or electric heaters, or wood stoves and fireplaces. If you’re planning on using any of these sources of heat, I urge you to take certain precautions to keep you and your family safe. Some safety tips for alternative heat sources include:

• Never fill a kerosene heater while it is operating or hot, and avoid overfilling. Refueling should be done outside, and keep loose clothing, towels, curtains, etc. away from the heater. Never use a kerosene heater in a room without proper ventilation. Be sure the heater is in good working condition, and store kerosene outside of the house in approved metal containers.

• If you’re using a woodstove or fireplace, have the chimney inspected annually and cleared. The same goes for your furnace: have it inspected and cleaned annually by a professional.

• If you’re going to use an electric heater, be sure not to overload the circuit. Use only extension cords that are the same size or larger than the heater’s electrical cord.

• Finally, be sure every level of your home has a working smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, and be sure to check them regularly.

As always, if you have a state issue or concern you’d like to discuss, feel free to contact me at my district office, 315-493-3909, email me at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us, or stop by my office, 15 Bridge St., Carthage.