My name is Bonnie Buckley and I am writing on behalf of the many Long Islanders who have joined the Facebook page, Save Long Island Schools.   We are a very concerned group of parents, educators, and taxpayers who want to see our children have the quality education that has been the standard here on Long Island. This is a link to that page.http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/329796000396554/ Unfortunately, as a result of the inequity of the Foundation Aid Formula, our tax dollars are leaving the Island and going to support the rest of the state. In 2012-13, Long Island schools will enroll approximately 17% of the students in the state and receive approximately 12% of state aid.

Governor Cuomo's Executive budget is dramatically and detrimentally impacting the quality of education our children receive on Long Island. The Executive Budget provides $4,440.00 per pupil to Long Island Schools. This is 30.8% below the rest of the state, which is funded at an average of $6,415. Yet, as a region we contribute the lion's share. We only desire what is fair. We believe that all children deserve a Long Island quality education, but the state should be raising them up, not lowering us.

We created this grassroots effort in order to band together as concerned Long Islanders, whose hard-earned tax dollars are funneled all over the state at the expense of our children. This is why we are having a Rally for Equity in Education Funding on Sunday, March 18 at the Duryea State Building in Hauppauge at noon! The flyer is attached. We are hoping that the over 5,000 members of the Save Long Island Schools Facebook page will attend our Rally to send a very loud message to our Governor. I have attached the flyer we created for this event.

I am writing to you in order to invite you to attend this rally and add your voice to our cause. Additionally, would you please distribute to your e-mail contacts, community groups and other parents in our community. We hope you consider joining us to send a message to the Governor  that Long Island deserves its fair share, so that we can continue to produce a quality education for our children and lessen the tax burden of our citizens.