Teacher's union says property tax cap caused achievement gap
By MATTHEW DONDIEGO
A new analysis by the New York State United Teachers shows the wealthiest 10 percent of New York state school districts spend 80 percent more on student education costs than the state's poorest 10 percent of districts.
According to the teacher's union, the unequal funding is a result of the state's property tax cap, which they say widens the educational achievement gap. NYSUT says the wealthiest 10 percent of school districts in New York spent an average of $35,690 per student in the 2012-2013 academic year, while the state's poorest districts spent just $19,823 per student in the same time period.
According to NYSUT— one of the state's largest unions, representing more than 600,000 employees — students in the state's poorest districts have greater educational needs and therefore more money should be allocated to help the underfunded areas.
The state's property tax cap — a key policy achievement for Gov. Andrew Cuomo — caps annual property tax increases at 2 percent, or the rate of inflation, whichever is lowest. The 2 percent tax cap allows for wealthy school districts to generate an average of $704 per student through tax revenue. However, due to poor school districts having less revenue, the tax cap only allows for an average of $114 per student to be raised through property taxes.
http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2013-12-09-86098.113122-Teachers-union-says-property-tax-cap-caused-achievement-gap.html
