Local schools’ state aid less than 3% overall education boost proposed by governor
Photo by Tom Rivers: The entrance to Lyndonville Central School is pictured recently. Lyndonville would see a 1.2 percent increase in funding, according to the governor’s proposed budget.
The governor’s budget includes a 3 percent increase in education funding for 2018-19. However, for Orleans County school districts the increase in foundation aid ranges from 1.0 to 1.4 percent.
Cuomo said his budget directs 70 percent of the proposed $769 million increase to poorer school districts.
For Orleans County districts, the proposed funding in foundation aid includes:
• Albion – $20,466,937, up 1.1 percent or $224,529
• Holley – $10,153,563, up 1.1 percent or $112,858
• Kendall – $7,644,017, up 1.0 percent or $79,346
• Lyndonville – $6,179,242, up 1.2 percent or $73,168
• Medina – $17,231,623, up 1.4 percent or $234,439
Foundation aid doesn’t include capital funding or the Smart Schools funding for technology upgrades. Albion and Medina also receive Community Schools Aid which includes $171,687 for Albion and $135,337 for Medina.
The governor’s proposed increase in education falls short of what was recommended by the Board of Regents.
“Preliminarily, we are pleased the Governor recommends funding many of the important initiatives he announced in his State of the State address – initiatives like expanding the reach of PreK and afterschool programs,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa and State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. “We are, however, concerned with the recommended increase of $769 million in State Aid funding, which is less than half of that proposed by the Board of Regents. We need to invest in the education of all New York State students. The Regents State Aid request would ensure schools continue to improve and better prepare our children while also acknowledging the State’s fiscal realities.”
The State Legislature and governor will push to finalize the state budget before April 1. The state aid for education typically is increased from the governor’s proposals as part of the budget negotiations.
