$700 million in foundation aid fulfills state’s promise to help struggling school districts
Funding increased for prekindergarten and other programs that help students succeed
State Senator Joseph Griffo announced today that a record increase in education funding in the 2017-2018 State Budget will help provide much-needed investments in our public school system.
This boost in school aid funding totaling nearly $26 billion – a 4.1 percent increase over last year’s funding by about $1.1 billion – was approved by both the Senate and Assembly this weekend, Senator Griffo said.
In approving this funding, Senator Griffo highlighted the significant increase of $700 million in Foundation Aid funding over last year, totaling $17.2 billion to help support the most financially struggling school districts in New York State.
Senator Joseph Griffo said: “A sound education is the key to success and opportunity for our children, and I am proud to support this historic investment in the future of our younger generations. Our mission to provide school districts in the North Country with the fair and equitable funding they deserve will not end, but I am confident that this year’s boost in Foundation Aid will help provide our schools with the resources and teaching staff they need to ensure a quality education for all our children. Investing in our public schools is one of the most important priorities for our state, and I believe this year’s record spending on education will continue to build upon the progress we have already made in strengthening our school system.”
The State Aid projections for 2017-2018 show the following increases over last year’s state aid figures for some school districts in Lewis and St. Lawrence counties:
SCHOOL DISTRICT TOTAL INCREASE IN AID PERCENT INCREASE
Beaver River +$498,525 +5.78 %
Lowville +648,409 +4.43 %
South Lewis +$621,813 +4.85 %
Canton +$730,879 +4.79 %
Massena +$1,062,933 +3.79 %
Potsdam +$560,023 +4.23 %
The projected 2017-2018 State Aid figures for all New York school districts can be found by clicking on the link below:http://nyassembly.gov/
According to Senator Griffo, the 2017-2018 State Budget also includes funding to further support important programs in the state’s education system, including the following:
- $5 million to expand half-day and full-day prekindergarten for 3- and 4-year-old in high-need school districts.
- $2 million for Advance Placement (AP) Test Assistance.
- $2 million for the Master Teachers Program.
- $300,000 for cyberbullying prevention.
- $16.7 million for Early College High School programs, which help at-risk students earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree.
- $20 million for Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers – an increase of $5.7 million.
- $1 million to restore funding for adult literacy education, for a total of $7.3 million.
- $1.2 million for regional community schools technical centers.