Assemblywoman Addie Russell wants Massena to demand the millions in state school aid the legislature promised years ago.

MASSENA -- Assemblywoman Addie Russell (R-Theresa) and Jasmine Gripper of the Alliance for Quality Education led a meeting at Massena High School Thursday night to urge parents and school officials to demand that the state legislature and governor move to deliver million of dollars in state aid for Massena schools that were promised years ago.

Russell and Gripper revealed on Thursday night timelines showing that although the state is starting to make good on years-old promises to poorer districts, they are nowhere near what is owed pursuant to a 2007 court decision.

Albany is delinquent just over $10 million to Massena alone, according to their presentation.

• 2006: Schools had a base state aid of $12.5 billion, which was insufficient to provide a sound, basic education

• 2007: Campaign for Fiscal Equality lawsuit was settled, $5.5 billion was to be added to in foundation aid over the next four years. $1.1 billion went out that year, high-need schools and proven-to-work programs were given the highest priority.

• 2008: Financial crisis begins, but the state ratcheted up to $14.9 billion in aid funding and the spending gap between wealthy and poor districts was starting to close.

• 2009: Albany strays from the CFE settlement, schools forced to make cuts. No foundation aid was added.

• 2010: Foundation aid cuts totaled $1.2 billion.

• 2011: Governor Andrew Cuomo takes office, institutes $1.3 billion in education cuts along with cap on state education aid and property taxes.

• 2012: Aid restored to the tune of $805 million, schools still forced to make cuts to educators and programs.

• 2013: Nearly $1 billion was restored in education aid, schools still not out of the red, resulting in a return to the chopping block.

To see our earlier story on last night’s meeting, click here.