The New York State Assembly has released its preliminary budget proposals. Although the senate’s proposals are not yet out, we expect them to be released very soon. The Assembly’s press release can be found at NYS Assembly 2017 Budget Press Release.
According to analysis done by the New York State School Boards Association, the Assembly proposal includes:
- $26.5 billion in school aid
- This is an increase of $1.8 billion or 7.4 percent over the 2016-17 School Year (SY)
- $1.4 billion Foundation Aid increase
- $15 million in targeted aid for districts with high English language learner counts
- Rejection of the Executive’s repeal of the Foundation Aid formula
- A proposed four-year phase in of Foundation Aid
- This proposal would bring all school districts to at least 50 percent of their total Foundation Aid in SY 2017-18
- Foundation Aid phase in and distribution includes updates and adjustments to better consider student need and district wealth
- Elimination of the community schools set-aside, replacing it with the creation of a separate $150 million aid stream for community schools
- Increase of the BOCES CTE aidable salary cap to $52,000 by 2020-21 and an increase in Special Services Aid, including 9th graders in the student count (currently begins with 10th grade)
- 4% increase for Special Act School Districts
- Extension of NYC Mayoral Control for 7 years
- Requiring release of funds for struggling schools
- Additional $50 million for 3 and 4 year old prekindergarten seats, as well as adjustments to the Executive proposal to merge UPK and PPK
- Reforms to the tax cap including:
- Requiring that Tax and Finance implement regulations to treat BOCES capital projects in the same manner as district capital projects under the tax cap (as agreed to in 2015)
- Requiring that Tax and Finance include PILOT properties in the tax base growth factor (as agreed to in 2015)
- Elimination of negative tax caps
- Reforms to the charter school law that would increase financial oversight and provision of services to students with disabilities and English language learners
ESSAA encourages you to contact your local representatives and continue to advocate for fair and equitable funding for all public schools in New York State. Our advocacy team will remain vigilant throughout the budget process.
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