A nationally-known expert in school finances will detail the dire straits local districts are in this Thursday.
Rick Timbs, an advocate for schools, will speak at Cobleskill-Richmondville's Golding School at 6:30pm. The meeting is open to the public.
Dr. Timbs will speak on "Your Public Schools in Fiscal Peril: Running Out of Time and Options."
His visit is hosted by the Schoharie County School Boards Association, whose members hope the public responds by contacting legislators.
"I think the general public is sick and tired of listening to superintendents tell them how bad things are," said Sharon Springs Superintendent Pat Green.
"This is coming from an outside person, an expert in the field."
Dr. Timbs will target each school's financial condition--Cobleskill-Richmondville, Sharon, Middleburgh and Schoharie.
C-R Superintendent Lynn Macan said Dr. Timbs will also highlight the inequities in funding between wealthy suburban schools and poorer rural districts.
"We're hoping when people realize this, they'll take action steps," Dr. Macan said. "It doesn't matter whether you're in Sharon Springs or Cobleskill-Richmondville. We're all in this together."
Dr. Timbs received a huge response when he spoke at Columbia High School on the same topics a year ago. The following lobbying from the public resulted in more aid from the legislature.
"We want people to come," Mr. Green said. "Dr. Timbs is not just a speaker. He's easy to listen to and entertaining."