Politics & Government

Graf, Nolan To Attend Rally Challenging Cuomo on School Aid

Republicans, educators to push demand for change in distribution of aid.

Assemb. Al Graf, R-Holbrook and Sachem Superintendent James Nolan are scheduled to be among several Long Island Republican Assembly members and school administrators planning a rally in Huntington this morning to urge changes in how school aid is distributed.

The rally is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today at Whitman High School. 

Long Island representatives and educators have long complained that the region pays a disproportionate share of taxes compared to what it gets back in state aid.

Find out what's happening in Sachemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The lineup of educators expected to attend includes leaders from both counties, among them James McKenna, president of the Suffolk School Superintendents Association, James March, president of the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association, Gary Bixhorn, chief operating officer of Eastern Suffolk BOCES, Dr. David Bennardo, superintendent of the South Huntington school district, Nolan and the superintendent from Connequot.

The Assembly members include Chad Lupinacci, a former member of the South Huntington school board who took office in January, pledging to help school districts.

Find out what's happening in Sachemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The campaign to change the aid system includes an online petition and a Youtube video.

The petition says that "under Gov. Cuomo’s budget, Long Island schools would only receive $66 per student in new aid, far below the statewide average of $119 and about half of the New York City average of $129 per student."

Also expected at the rally are Assembs. Andrew Raia, R-E. Northport, Michael Fitzpatrick, R-Smithtown; Andrew Gabarino, R-Sayville; Joseph Saladino, R-Massapequa; Michael Montesano, R-Glen Head; Edward Ra, R-Franklin Square; Daniel Losquadro, R-Shoreham; and Brian Curran, R-Lynbrook. 


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