MONTICELLO — Last week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo once again vetoed a bill that would have provided full amnesty for the $1.9 million in building aid penalties imposed on the Monticello Central School District for the late filing of a capital cost report several years ago.

This past summer, a bill sponsored by NYS Senator Jen Metzger and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther that, “Legalizes, validates, ratifies and confirms the actions of the Monticello Central School District regardless of the failure of such district to timely file final building cost reports,” passed the state senate and assembly.

The Monticello School District received partial amnesty back in 2012, but $1.9 million in penalties remained.

The State Legislature passed the same bill the year prior, along with another bill sponsored by Metzger and Gunther to forgive building aid penalties for the Roscoe Central School District. The Governor had signed the Roscoe bill but vetoed the Monticello bill.

“We are disappointed to learn that the Governor has, once again, vetoed this amnesty bill for our building aid penalty. This penalty was due to a clerical error eight years ago, and after the state changed the way it collected information,” said Monticello Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Evans.

“We find it odd that similar amnesty bills for other public school districts have been approved by the Governor,” he continued. “We appreciate the efforts of Assemblywoman Gunther and Senator Metzger in promoting this legislation, and we'll continue to fight to keep this $1.9 million in aid.”

Lawmakers respond

Metzger called the Governor's decision to veto ‘beyond disappointing.'

“The original policy imposing the penalty was unfair and has since been changed, and the penalty itself should be dropped,” said Metzger. “During a pandemic and economic slowdown, and in a district where over 70 percent of students qualify for free and reduced lunch, this is a tremendous and unnecessary burden.”

Gunther noted she was ‘outraged' that legislation she said would have ensured the Monticello CSD has the funds it needs to serve its students, was once again vetoed. She said now the State will continue to take “unnecessary punitive action” that she believes will only serve to harm property taxpayers and students at a time when they can least afford it.

“The bill was vetoed over the Thanksgiving weekend without any communication from the Governor's office,” said Gunther. “The Governor has signed plenty of bills into law that require state funds, so it appears disingenuous that funding dries up suddenly when it comes to taking care of our kids. I am very disappointed with this decision and will continue to fight to ensure Monticello does not shoulder this undue burden alone.”