Rally against proposed Hancock school aid cut

HANCOCK, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH0 – The Hancock community plans to turn out in force later this week in opposition to a proposed $1.2 million cut in state school funding.

The school district, in conjunction with the Hancock Teachers Association, is holding a rally Friday evening called Turn the Town Blue.

Attendees are encouraged to wear Wildcat blue, the school’s color, to protest Governor Hochul’s proposed budget that would slash $400 million in public school aid.

That’s because Hochul wants to eliminate the established doctrine known as hold harmless in which districts never see less aid than they received the year before.

Hancock’s Superintendent Lori Asquith says small rural districts like Hancock are being hit particularly hard.

She says without hold harmless, the state reverts to a flawed and outdated funding formula that assumes Hancock has more resources than it does.

“Hancock, like many rural schools in certain areas, are very unique in that we look property rich but if you’ve driven through our community, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. We are salt-of-the-earth folks here, working really hard to give all of our students the very best. We are not rich as a community,” said Asquith.

The cut would represent about one quarter of what Hancock received in state aid for the current school year. And the district is constrained by the tax cap for raising property taxes to help offset the loss.

Longtime teacher and Co-President of the HTA Gloria White says a loss of funds will translate into a loss of opportunity.

“It’s not just money. It’s students’ futures, it’s students’ goals and their desires. It’s their whole life is changed by a budget cut like this,” said White.

Friday’s rally begins at 6 p.m. in the school’s auditorium.

There will be performances by the high school chorus and band along with a series of speakers, including students, teachers and local elected officials.

Asquith says she’s hoping state legislators from both political parties restore the funding during budget negotiations.

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