We are passing on this very important message from Teach NYS.

Prevent A Tuition Increase! Call Governor Paterson - Ask Him to Stop Cutting Yeshivas!

Governor David Paterson's budget proposal, announced earlier this week, would cut tens of millions of dollars in state funds to yeshivas. These cuts will have a dramatic impact on every single yeshiva and may force yeshivas to raise tuition next year. While the Governor proposed a mere 3.3% cut for public school funding, he wants to cut funding to yeshivas by an astounding 41%. "In these harsh economic times our yeshivas can not afford these huge cuts and our parents simply can not pay higher tuitions," said David Greenfield, director and counsel of TEACH NYS . "We need every single yeshiva parent to call the Governor today and ask that he stop the tens of millions of dollars in cuts to yeshivas." The toll-free TEACH NYS hotline that will transfer your call directly to the Governor's office in Albany is: (888) 720 1961. Please call now and ask the Governor to "Please stop the CAP funding cuts to private schools."

The Governor's budget proposal seeks to eliminate the Comprehensive Attendance Program (CAP) for private schools, cutting almost $55 million in funding from last year's budget. CAP is a state mandated program for all schools. It is a security measure that requires that schools take attendance at the start of every period to ensure that students are attending their classes and not leaving the school during class time.

Including CAP, the Mandated Services Reimbursement program for non-public schools totaled almost $135 million last year. The proposed budget cut would reduce funding for non-public schools to $80 million. That is a 41% permanent cut in funding to private schools.