Long Island School Superintendents Unite to Eliminate the G-E-A

Nearly $1BILLION in State Aid to Long Island Schools Lost Over Last Three Years. 

The Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) is a formula in the state budget that reduces the amount of state aid each school district is entitled to receive. New York State introduced the GEA in 2009-2010 when it was known as the Deficit Reduction Assessment in order to partially reduce the state’s own $10 billion budget deficit. Over the past three years, the GEA has been used to reduce state aid to Long Island schools by nearly $1 BILLION and to school districts statewide by $6.35 BILLION.

On Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., the Suffolk County School Superintendents Association (SCSSA) and the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents (NCCSS) will join together to announce their plans to raise awareness among taxpayers and to seek legislation to eliminate the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) and stop the loss of state aid to Long Island schools starting with the 2014-2015 school year.

Gary Bixhorn, Chief Operating Officer of Eastern Suffolk BOCES and Legislative Chairman for the SCSSA will present detailed facts regarding the negative impact the GEA has had on each school district on Long Island. The information will also be available to those in attendance.

Roberta Gerold, SCSSA President and Superintendent of the Middle Country CSD and David Feller, NCCSS President and Superintendent of the North Merrick School District will also be speaking.

There will be an opportunity for a Q & A following the presentation.

The press conference will be held at  Western Suffolk BOCES, 507 Deer Park Road, Huntington Station N.Y. 11746

Phone: 631-549-4900.