Cuomo Proposes $100 Million For Yonkers, Upstate Schools
YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing a $28 million bailout for the Yonkers school district in Westchester County, using money from a proposed $100 million fund to help failing schools in upstate New York.
At a news conference at Yonkers City Hall on Sunday, Cuomo said Yonkers schools face a "crisis in education," with the Board of Education proposing elimination of all sports and layoffs of 200 teachers. Cuomo said the $100 million fund he's proposing to the state Legislature will make those cuts unnecessary.
"This investment in public education is not just an investment in education. It's in the overall growth of Yonkers and the overall well-being of Yonkers," Cuomo told reporters, including WCBS 880's Ginny Kosola.
"You want housing values to go up in Yonkers? You want more people moving in? Improve the school system."
Cuomo said the city also needs to make "structural changes" so the school district isn't in the same dire position next year.
Billy Easton, executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education, said he's pleased the money isn't tied to Cuomo's private school tax credit proposal.
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