The New York State Educational Conference Board, citing the apparent deadlock in school funding negotiations, today called for a public summit to resolve the crisis before a court-appointed special master takes control of the issue. The State has until July 30 to respond to the court's directives laid out in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit.

"Better a special summit than a special master," ECB Chair Ed McCormick said. "It's great that the Governor, the Senate and the Assembly have all introduced plans to comply with the CFE decision. Their plans are out in the open. Now they should follow through and resolve their differences in public. But we're running out of road. We don't have time to wait around while Albany plays politics."

The ECB is calling for legislative conference committees to meet publicly with the Governor in Albany to move the process forward. McCormick said the Governor and the Legislature have enough information and recommendations to craft an appropriate plan. He said the leaders should come together in public in Albany starting on June 14 to hash out a plan that meets the state's constitutional obligation.

"There are enough studies, enough proposals," McCormick said. "They know what is right to do. The thing to do now is make it work. The Governor and the Legislature haven't been able to do that behind closed doors, so maybe it's time to let a little public light shine on this process. The conference committee structure has worked before. Let's make it work again. June 14 will give them just about six weeks, if they want to push the deadline."

McCormick noted that no one in Albany has suggested any method to resolve this crisis. He said the "petty attacks" were making progress difficult.

"Accusations and name calling jeopardize the future of our children," McCormick said. "If there's one message ECB wants to convey, it's this - stop. Stop the accusations. Stop the criticism. Stop the finger-pointing. Stop all that and get down to business."

The Educational Conference Board is a coalition of the major statewide education leadership groups, representing parents, teachers, administrators and school board members from every public school in the state.

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