Time is racing in this new year, it feels like just yesterday we were celebrating Christmas. In the last four weeks, my team and I have been hitting the ground running, traveling around the district. It has been a pleasure reconnecting with many old friends and meeting new ones. If you have noticed, I have been very critical of Gov. Hochul’s executive budget, especially her school aid proposal. She plans to adjust foundation aid by removing the hold-harmless provision, used to calculate the funds distributed to schools. School districts rely on foundation aid as their primary source of income. The proposed cut came by surprise after years the districts were able to rely on the aid.

School districts have been punching in numbers lately to figure out their own budgets. Reports are surfacing of significant shifts in funding, particularly in light of Gov. Hochul’s foundation aid proposal. Notably, many districts are finding themselves receiving less support than anticipated, while others are confronted with substantial decreases. This discrepancy is particularly pronounced in areas deemed "land rich," where the valuation of property skews the allocation of resources, distorting the true needs of these districts. The region I represent contains predominantly rural and suburban communities, which are the ones most at risk. 

Recently, advocates of the Clifton-Fine Central School District sent over a letter of support addressing their concerns with the budget. They fall into the land rich school category, which makes them susceptible to cuts in school aid. Overall, they fall high on the wealth index; however, in reality, 74% of students are economically disadvantaged. The seasonal homes in the area are inflating the land evaluation for school aid, stripping away equitable support and jeopardizing essential services such as disability access, mental health support and academic enrichment programs.

The loss in aid will greatly affect the services schools may be able to provide. With an expected reduction of $940,060 in aid, Clifton-Fine, like many others, stands at a crossroads, weighing the difficult choice between imposing local tax levies or slashing crucial programs. School aid goes beyond funding support for our district. It’s the glue that provides essential academic support to equalize rural and suburban communities' academic standards with those in the city. 

The closer we get to budget season, the more imperative it is for the public to be involved. My office will be expecting more letters and information from school districts about the changes. The urgency to advocate for our students grows ever more palpable. The Assembly Minority Conference and I stand committed to amplifying the voices of those most impacted by these inequities, steadfast in our pursuit of a fair and just educational landscape for all. As we continue our advocacy journey, let us remain vigilant, for the true measure of our commitment lies in our unwavering dedication to the well-being and future of our students.