Wall Street Journal Reports Cuomo To Veto Special Ed Placement Bill

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to veto a bill that would require schools to take family and cultural background into account in the placement process for special education students. 

Educators are among many in the state who have spoken out in opposition to the bill, raising concerns regarding the potential financial burden for schools and the risks involved with vague language it contains. The State Senate and Assembly had passed the bill last month and Cuomo has until Wednesday to act on it.

In addition to a group of schools in Westchester County that passed resolutions opposing the legislation, the following groups sent letters to Cuomo asking him to veto it. 

• Council of New York Special Education Administrators (CNYSEA)
• Long Island Association of Special Education Administrators (LIASEA)
• NYS Council of School Superintendents
• Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendents Council of New York Special Education Administrators (CNYSEA)
• League of Women Voters
• NYS PTA
• School Boards Association

An online petition created by a Spring Valley resident urges people to sign and call the governor's office at 518-474-8390.  

Pearl River Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Morgano said last week he is opposed to the bill and he signed the letter written by the NYS Council of School Superintendents. 

Supporters of the legislation argued that it would reduce litigation regarding the placement of special education students, but those who argue that the language is not clear enough have called that into question. 

Assembly Bill 10722/Senate Bill 7722 would call for schools to take a student's home life and cultural environment into account when making placement decisions.

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