The Appeal Process: From January 10 to Present

January 10: In major victory for children of New York State, Court strikes down State's system for funding education Court declares that State must ensure adequate level of funding in all school districts [more].

January 16: Governor Pataki announces he will appeal the court decision
CFE responds to Governor's announcement of appeal [more]

January 24: Michael Rebell asks the governor and legislature to not waste time and money in a lengthy appeals process [more]

February 28: State of New York files notice of appeal; State has nine months to file their appeal and receives an automatic stay

March 8: CFE asks Court to block State's attempts to stall education finance reform process; CFE files dual motion, asks State's highest court to speed up appeals process and require the State to undertake reform process while appeal is pending [more]

March 13: State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer serves CFE attorneys appeal reply papers, requesting a full nine months, the maximum length of time allowed under the law, to file the state's appeal --in direct contradiction to his earlier public commitment to expedite an appeal [more]

March 19: CFE Criticizes State for Stalling Appeal
CFE Files Reply Papers on Motions Calling for Expediting Appeal and Lifting Automatic Stay [more]

April 6:Campaign For Fiscal Equity Wins Major Court Victory
Motion to Expedite Appeal Granted in Appellate Court [more]

June 15: City and State Officials Join CFE in Calling on Governor Pataki to Act Immediately to Develop a New State School Funding Formula [more]

• CFE Executive Director Michael Rebell's statement to the press (PDF format)
  
• Summary of Justice DeGrasse's remedial order (also in PDF format)
  
• Report on findings from CFE/NYSSBA public forums [ Summary of report ] (PDF format)
  
• Photos from the press conference

July 16: Court Grants Defendents' Request to Submit Joint Appendix on CD ROM

August 2: Appellate Court Grants Parties Extention on Briefs, Maintains October Schedule for Oral Arguments

August 13: State Files Appeal Brief with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court

September 7: The Black, Puerto Rican and Hispanic Legislative Caucus Files as amicus curiae ("friends of the court") - NYC mayoral candidates, NAACP, and others sign on

September 28: CFE files its Reply Brief with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. Dozens of groups show their support as amici curiae ("friends of the court").

October 15: State Files Reply Brief

October 25: CFE Argues Before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court; Supporters Hold Rally

June 25, 2002: Appellate Court Hands CFE a Temporary Setback; Court Strikes Down CFE Decision

July 22, 2002: CFE Formally Files Notice of Appeal of Appellate Division Decision

December 18, 2002: High Court Expedites CFE Appeal; Sets Firm Date for Argument

January 31, 2003: CFE Files Final Appeal with Court of Appeals

April 9, 2003: State Files Brief in CFE Case: Says Again That 8th Grade Level of Learning is Good Enough for NY Students

April 21, 2003: CFE Files Reply Brief: Last Papers to Court of Appeals Before Oral Arguments on May 8

May 8, 2003: Oral Arguements Heard in Albany by State's Highest Court

June 26, 2003: Highest Court Rules for CFE; Declares that All Children are Entitled to "A Meaningful High School Education"