Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) announced the Legislature’s bipartisan state budget invests in the children of New York with a record increase in education funding.

“The bipartisan legislative budget provides our students with the tools to help them succeed in a global economy,” Magnarelli said. “By providing necessary investments to create smaller class sizes, expand the universal pre-K program, and provide state dollars to modernize school facilities in Central New York, the Legislature’s education budget invests in our children’s future.”

Substantial increase in aid

First and foremost, the Legislature’s plan includes a record $1.27 billion increase in education funding over last year, including a nearly 7 percent increase in formula-based school aid. This includes $631 million more than the governor’s proposed budget. Schools in the 120th Assembly District will receive more than $22.6 million over last year:

• Syracuse will receive an increase of $17,354,228
• Baldwinsville will receive an increase of $2,259,471
• Solvay will receive an increase of $629,808
• Westhill will receive an increase of $366,585
• West Genesee will receive an increase of $2,047,363

Constructing tomorrow’s schools today

To further meet the needs of our students, the Legislature’s budget includes a capital program, EXpanding our Children’s Education and Learning (EXCEL), that provides $2.6 billion in capital funding in addition to building aid. This includes $2.2 billion for high-need school districts, including over $21.8 million for schools in the 120th Assembly District:

• Syracuse will receive an additional $17,048,465
• Baldwinsville will receive an additional $1,932,373
• Solvay will receive an additional $546,063
• Westhill will receive an additional $646,047
• West Genesee will receive an additional $1,649,728

The remaining $400 million will be distributed to all other school districts.

“The Legislative budget proposal makes the grade when it comes to funding our children’s education. The aid our schools receive today is an investment in our children’s futures,” Magnarelli said. “Our budget delivers the resources the schools here in Central New York need to achieve higher educational standards. I urge the governor to join the Legislature so we can ensure that our children will be prepared for the challenges of the 21st century economy.”