by Dr. Gladys I. Cruz
District Superintendent, Questar III BOCES
State residents will head to the polls on Tuesday, May 20 to vote on school district budgets and elect school board members.
The final state budget includes $37.6 billion in total school aid, an increase of $1.7 billion over the current year. The budget includes a minimum of a two percent increase in Foundation Aid. While the state budget provides an overall increase in Foundation Aid, fluctuating economic indicators, specifically a decrease in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since the Governor’s proposed budget in January, resulted in a $38 million statewide reduction from initial projections. This means that while no district will receive less funding than current year, some will see smaller increases than originally anticipated.
The final state budget makes several changes to the Foundation Aid formula, including replacing outdated poverty factors with three-year averages, and increasing the weight for English language learners, or students whose first and primary language is not English. The budget also provides universal free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of their families’ income.
The final budget requires every school district, charter school, and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to adopt a written policy prohibiting students from internet-enabled devices on school grounds during the school day, no later than August 1, 2025. Prior to adopting the policy, local stakeholders must be consulted. The policy must include at least one way for parents and guardians to contact their student during the day, and at least one method for onsite storage, which may include the student’s locker. The policy may include exceptions, including when it’s necessary to manage a student’s health care. The budget includes $13.5 million for expenses related to the implementation of this distraction free policy statewide.
This year’s school budget development process was unique as this was the state’s latest budget since 2010. As a result, local school boards had to adopt a proposed spending plan before final state aid numbers were available.
It is important to note that each school community has different circumstances and priorities impacting their specific budget proposals, from how much aid it receives and prior spending plans to contractual obligations, demographics or district size. The expiration of federal stimulus funding, which provided temporary relief during the pandemic, has created a ‘fiscal cliff’ for some districts. The end of this one-time funding source has forced difficult decisions regarding staffing and program cuts that districts need to address student needs.
In this environment of uncertainty, school districts are proposing budgets that include spending increases, prioritizing the continuation of existing programs and services while carefully considering any new initiatives. However, some districts have reduced expenses through cuts to staffing, programs or services.
Tax levy caps, which limit the amount that districts can raise through property taxes, constrain a district’s ability to generate local revenue. This year, we are also seeing the impact of prior year tax levies when school districts did not maximize their tax levy within the allowable limits over several years, which caused future revenue gaps.
This year’s school budget votes are particularly critical, occurring amidst a confluence of significant challenges: a delayed state budget, changing funding formulas, the loss of federal stimulus funds, rising healthcare costs, and broader economic uncertainties.
Learn more about your school district’s proposed budget, any additional propositions put up by your board, such as capital projects or school bus purchases and review information on candidates running for your school board. Exercise your right to vote. School district budgets are one of the more unique budgets in New York State, providing residents with the opportunity to vote on proposed spending plans, unlike municipal and state budgets.