Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) announced he helped pass a 2013-14 state budget that invests in our children's future by increasing state aid to local schools over last year and above what the governor proposed earlier this year. Onondaga County schools will see an increase of $20.5 million.
"As a father with a daughter attending public school, I understand parents' concerns and like them, I want to make sure our schools are able to provide our children with the quality education they deserve," Assemblyman Stirpe said. "Increasing state aid will help provide that quality education without further burdening local property taxpayers."
Schools within the district will see a $12.5 million increase over last year. The breakdown by school district is below.
| School District | Increase |
| Baldwinsville Central School District | $2,059,695 |
| Central Square School District | $1,941,631 |
| East Syracuse-Minoa Central School District | $1,073,326 |
| Fabius-Pompey Central School District | $503,553 |
| Fayetteville- Manlius Central School District | $675,917 |
| Jamesville-Dewitt Central School District | $771,248 |
| Liverpool Central School District | $981,846 |
| North Syracuse School District | $3,134,106 |
| Phoenix School District | $1,009,348 |
| Tully Central School District | $428,247 |
| Total | $12,578,917 |
In addition, Assemblyman Stirpe helped to secure $100,000 for the North Syracuse Early Education Project at Main Street. This Pre-K program provides our children with a vital start to their education. Studies have shown that giving our children an earlier start to education better prepares them for the future.
The final budget includes:
- an increase in expense-based aids by $228 million;
- restores $517.5 million to Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA);
- an increase in Foundation Aid by $171.3 million over the executive budget;
- restores $14.26 million to teacher resource and computer training centers;
- preserves the full $25 million pre-K grant for full-day and half-day kindergarten; and
- an increase in state aid to public libraries by $4 million.
Assemblyman Al Stirpe has been a vocal advocate for more school funding, fighting to ensure that the final budget included more funding for Central New York schools. Local schools have exhausted their fund balances over the past three to four years, in addition to cutting hundreds of positions, and now they need more help from the state, Assemblyman Stirpe explained.
"It's essential our schools have the funding they need to give our students a top-notch education. By increasing state aid to education, we are not only doing this but we are helping to ease the property tax burden on Central New York taxpayers." Assemblyman Stirpe concluded.