With state budget, comes school aid figures

4/4/2018

By Patsy Nicosia

Wrapping up late night negotiations in Albany Friday, legislators finalized a state budget deal that boosts school spending by nearly $1 billion.
That includes a $620 million in foundation aid—twice that proposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo initially, said State Senator Jim Seward, in Cobleskill Monday to award $220,000 in Emergency Medical Services monies. (See story page 7.)
“That was what I was fighting for from the start,” said Senator Seward of the school funding.
“I hope it will help districts with their budgets and provide some relief so costs don’t get passed on to the taxpayers.
Schoharie County’s five schools will see about a $1.8 million increase in foundation aid, the main source of school aid.
A list of foundation aid for local school follows.
Gilboa-Conesville—$2,446,477, up from $2,400,861.
Jefferson--$2,389,910, up from $2,272,118.
Middleburgh--$7,564,251, up from $7,313,292.
Cobleskill-Richmondville--$14,497,026, up from $13,975,518.
Schoharie--$7,309,700, up from $7,083,536.
Sharon Springs, $3,596,618, up from $3,464,319.
Foundation aid doesn’t include aid specific to things like transportation or building projects.
Now that they know 2018-19 state aid figures, schools can begin finalizing their own budgets for voter approval on May 15.