Religious schools want mandate…and money
The state Catholic Conference said today that 10,000 New Yorkers’ e-mails and letters have convinced Gov. David Paterson to reverse his decision to eliminate the Comprehensive Attendance Policy mandate for religious and independent schools. The mandate requires teachers to take student attendance whenever students move about during the school day, such as changing classes.
In his original budget proposal, Paterson called for eliminating the mandate for non-public schools, as well as the $55 million in state funding to reimburse private schools for the cost of compliance. While the governor has not included the $55 million, his administration has expressed a willingness to negotiate, according to the Catholic Conference.
“We thank Governor Paterson for recognizing the critical importance of the CAP program, which is intended to ensure that children are safe and in school receiving their education,” James Cultrara of the Catholic Conference said in a statement. “In restoring the program, Governor Paterson has recognized the state’s obligation to provide for the needs of all school children, regardless of where they attend school.”
New Yorkers have sent tens of thousands of e-mails through the Catholic Advocacy Network to the governor and members of the Senate and Assembly. The Legislature is supposed to develop a 2009-10 spending plan by March 31.
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Let me get this straight- We have a mandate to basically make sure kids don’t cut class, and it costs $55 million to pay private schools to take attendance in each class? Shouldn’t they be taking attendance anyway? If my kids cut class, I’d expect the school to tell me about it, mandate, or not. If I could afford to send them to a private school, they’d damn well better tell me if they’re cutting class, mandate or not.
Someone in the appropriate responsible position should look into this seemingly obvious boondoggle, and dozens, probably scores, like it. They throw our money around up there like bar tips – except they deal in millions and millions and millions.
since the catholic schools seem to be the biggest component of these schools and lumping in all religious institutions no matter what the denomination it seems ludicrous that they need taxpayer dollars for anything. let them sell their real estate holdings, their gold icons, their art works and maybe even some of their churches to finance all their costs and pay their lay teachers a decent living wage. what a joke !
Why don’t YOU sell everything you own and give your kids a decent allowance?