by Dr. Gladys I. Cruz
District Superintendent
Questar III BOCES
Last month, Governor Hochul presented a $252 million Executive Budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year. This includes $37.4 billion in school aid spending, or an increase of 4.7 percent. Below is a summary of some of the most impactful areas in public education.
Changing Foundation Aid
The Executive Budget begins the process of reforming the Foundation Aid formula by updating two measures of the percentage of low-income students in a school district, consistent with the recommendations of the Rockefeller Institute of Government and the Board of Regents. The proposal will drive more aid to low-wealth school districts and guarantee that each district will receive at least a two percent increase in Foundation Aid. Foundation Aid represents about 70 percent of all school aid. An estimate of school aid runs is available at https://tinyurl.com/FY26aid.
Enacting cell phone bans
Governor Hochul proposes to restrict the unauthorized use of smartphones and other internet-enabled devices on school grounds during school hours to ensure a distraction-free learning environment. She cited a study that found 95 percent of 13- to 17-year-olds have access to smartphones and they’re receiving over 250 notifications per day.
The plan would direct schools to come up with distraction-free school policies. Schools would have flexibility in how they implement the ban, including exemptions for students with medical reasons, to assist non-English speakers, and for students with learning disabilities. The Executive Budget proposal includes $13.5 million to aid in the purchase of lockers, pouches or other equipment to store devices.
Expanding meals for all students
The Governor is also proposing $340 million to provide free school breakfast and free school lunch for every student in New York. Currently, 90 percent of the state’s students are eligible for free meals. This proposal would enable the remaining 10 percent of students to receive free meals.
Launching the College in the High School Opportunity Fund
The 2026 fiscal year budget provides $64.6 million for this fund, including $52.4 million for Smart Scholars, Smart Transfer, and Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) programs, and $12.2 million to provide new ongoing, per-credit funding for College in the High School programs. This program will focus on providing support for economically disadvantaged students and will be free for students in qualified programs.
Questar III BOCES offers an Early College High School and P-TECH program in partnership with Hudson Valley Community College. Students from Columbia, Greene and Rensselaer counties can earn both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree simultaneously at the Questar III & HVCC STEM High School, located on the Hudson Valley Community College campus.
The Governor is also proposing $1.8 billion to expand access to childcare and $1.3 billion in new capital funding for public colleges and universities in the SUNY and CUNY systems. Additionally, she is proposing $825 million to expand the Child Tax Credit over two years, giving eligible parents $1,000 for kids under 4-years-old and $500 for kids ages 4-16.
It is important to note that this is just a portion of the Governor’s Executive Budget proposal – and the starting point for the state’s budget development discussions. The Governor and State Legislature must now negotiate a final agreement for the start of the state’s new fiscal year on April 1.
Residents across the region and state will vote on their local school district’s proposed spending plan and elect school board members on Tuesday, May 20. Learn more by visiting your district’s website or attending a school board meeting.
This column will appear in the Register Star and The Daily Mail newspapers.
