New York’s High Court To Hear NYCLU Appeal Of Lawsuit On State’s Failing Schools

The New York Court of Appeals has given the go-ahead for the New York Civil Liberties Union to proceed with its lawsuit on behalf of 150 failing schools in the State outside New York City. The NYCLU filed the class action suit on behalf of approximately students attending schools in 9 districts around the State. Its lawsuit cites conditions in these facilities as so decrepit and inadequate that children attending these schools are being denied the constitutional guarantee of a “sound basic education.”

Arthur Eisenberg, Legal Director of the NYCLU says, “This is an important case that complements the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) suit which was brought on behalf of New York City students. The NYCLU lawsuit seeks to provide constitutional protection for children outside the City who are equally deserving of educational opportunity.”

The suit cites failing schools around the State, including Albany, Buffalo, Hempstead, Mount Vernon, Roosevelt, Syracuse, Westbury, Wyandanch and Yonkers. The NYCLU asks that the State Department of Education work with local school boards on remedial plans for each of the failing schools