Paterson proposes cutting aid to private schools

ALBANY - New York Gov. David Paterson is proposing cutting $88 million over two years from religious and independent schools across the state.

The proposal would affect an estimated 500,000 students in private schools, which traditionally receive assistance through the comprehensive attendance program. The funds were used for monitoring student attendance throughout the day.

“The cut amounts to a loss of hundreds of dollars per student for many schools, and will put schools in a situation where they will be forced to increase tuition at a time when many parents are already struggling mightily with the cost of tuition,” said David Greenfield, a spokesman for The Educational Alliance for Children in New York State.