Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica) announced she helped pass the 2019-20 state budget, which includes an increase of $1 billion in state education aid over last year’s budget and provides vital funding for Mohawk Valley schools. Additionally, all of the schools in Buttenschon’s district are receiving an increase in Foundation Aid from last year.

“Our community is only as strong as our students,” Buttenschon said. “That’s why when it came to the state budget, investing in education was at the top of my list. Our schools give students the skills and knowledge they need to excel in the real world, so I fought to make sure upstate schools got their fair share of funding.”

Buttenschon has long been involved in and committed to public education. Before her time in elected office, she served as dean of public service and emergency preparedness at Mohawk Valley Community College.

Buttenschon helped secure funding increases for local school districts, including:

• $135.6 million for the Utica City School District, an increase of 7.5 percent over last year, including $105.5 million in Foundation Aid, an increase of almost 6.8 percent over last year;
• $69.3 million for the Rome City School District, an increase of 2.4 percent over last year, including $50.6 million in Foundation Aid, an increase of 4.6 percent over last year;
• nearly $38.5 million for the Central Valley School District, an increase of 2.1 percent over last year, including nearly $22.2 million in Foundation Aid, an increase of 1.65 percent over last year;
• $26.8 million for the Whitesboro Central School District, an increase of 10.39 percent over last year, including nearly $19.3 million in Foundation Aid, an increase of 1.3 percent over last year;
• $19.3 million for the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School District, an increase of 4.15 percent over last year, including $14.6 million in Foundation Aid, an increase of 3.41 percent over last year;
• $16.3 million for the Holland Patent Central School District, an increase of 5.96 percent over last year, including $11.7 million in Foundation Aid, an increase of 2.40 percent over last year;
• nearly $12.5 million for the New Hartford Central School District, an increase of 5.35 percent over last year, including nearly $7.8 million in Foundation Aid, an increase of 1.05 percent over last year;
• $11.6 million for the Sauquoit Valley Central School District, an increase of 3.64 percent over last year, including nearly $8.6 million in Foundation Aid, an increase of 1.95 percent over last year;
• over $11 million for the Westmoreland Central School District, an increase of 10.39 percent over last year, including nearly $7.7 million in Foundation Aid, an increase of 3 percent over last year;
• $10 million for the Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District, an increase of 2.4 percent over last year, including $7.3 million in Foundation Aid, an increase of 2.2 percent over last year;
• nearly $6.9 million for the Oriskany Central School District, an increase of 4.3 percent over last year, , including $4.8 million in Foundation Aid, an increase of 3.1 percent over last year; and
• $4.2 million for the New York Mills Union Free School, an increase of 6.17 percent over last year, including nearly $2.5 million in Foundation Aid, an increase of 1.82 percent over last year.

Buttenschon noted that she’s continuing to work to bring home additional funding for the Rome City School District to help prevent layoffs and protect vital programs. In addition, Buttenschon requested that an Education Subcommittee be formed to evaluate the Foundation Aid formula and to provide transparency and clarity for school personnel and taxpayers.