The New York State Court of Appeals' web site (http://www.nycourts.gov/ctapps/) will broadcast oral argument of the school funding litigation in Campaign for Fiscal Equity v State of New York live on Tuesday, October 10, 2006, beginning at 2 p.m. The webcast will be enhanced to allow a larger viewership. An archived webcast of the entire proceeding will remain available on this web site for several months.

Background on the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) v State of New York

In its 2003 order, the Court of Appeals mandated extensive reforms to the school finance system to ensure every New York child a meaningful high school education.

While the State added substantial increases to fund capital construction costs this year, it failed to budget the operating aid dollars and accountability reforms the city needs to run schools effectively. CFE filed its appeal to the Court of Appeals in April to ensure full compliance.

In this appeal, CFE is asking the Court of Appeals to evaluate the State's noncompliance.  CFE is urging the court to affirm an order from an appellate court that requires the governor and the legislature to add between $4.7 billion and $5.63 billion in operating aid, phased in over four years, to New York City's schools. The plaintiffs are also asking the highest court to order strong accountability measures to ensure that when additional dollars begin to flow they are spent in ways that make a difference in the lives of the children who need them most.

To read documents filed in the CFE lawsuit see the CFE website at: http://www.cfequity.org/.  In addition, the Teachers College library contains an extensive collection of documents filed in the CFE lawsuit.

Published Thursday, Oct. 12, 2006