The unusually high percentage of school budgets that passed yesterday in spite of dire predictions by everyone from Gov. David Paterson on down has become fodder for the teachers union and its allies in the fight to restore $1.4 billion worth of education cuts proposed by the governor.

NYSUT’s Dick Iannuzzi said the predicted 92 percent pass rate is a clear indication that New Yorkers support investing in the public school system in spite of the tough economic times.

“It’s wrong for local taxpayers to have to increasingly shoulder the responsibility that rests with the state,” Iannuzzi said in a press release.

“It is clear that voters want quality public schools, and state can and should reverse what would be devastating cuts to education.”

The Alliance for Quality Education’s Billy Easton echoed this sentiment, saying yesterday’s “overwhelmingly positive” outcome demonstrates residents are “demanding” that education be funded and “came to the defense” of local districts at a time when the governor and the Senate are trying to drastically roll back spending.

“Governor Paterson predicted a massive taxpayer revolt would result in school budgets being rejected, but this was not the case. Voters want good schools for their kids,” said Easton, AQE’s executive director.

“All the layoffs and all the cuts in educational programs are the offspring of the state Legislature – and it’s up to them to make sure these devastating cuts don’t pass. Our kids deserve better.”

AQE and NYSUT have teamed up to launch a statewide mail campaign this week that targets key Senate Democrats in hopes of pressuring them into joining their counterparts in the Assembly majority in restoring at least some of the cash Paterson is trying to cut.

Actually, the teachers et al would like to see the whole $1.4 billion restored, but even the Assembly Democrats, who are closely allied with NYSUT, haven’t gone that far (yet).

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