by Dr. Gladys I. Cruz
District Superintendent, Questar III BOCES
Last month, Governor Hochul presented a $260 billion Executive Budget proposal for the 2027 fiscal year. This includes $39.3 billion in total school aid, or an increase of 4.3 percent. Below is a summary of some of the most impactful areas in public education.
Foundation Aid
The Executive Budget provides a $779 million, or a 3 percent, increase in Foundation Aid. This is part of a multi-year effort to fully fund Foundation Aid, which is the state’s primary funding formula representing 70 percent of all school aid. The Governor’s proposed budget ensures that each school district receives at least a 1 percent year-to-year increase. An estimate of school aid can be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/FY27aid.
While some suburban and high-need urban school districts would see larger increases, the proposed 1 percent minimum would apply to Chatham, Germantown, Hudson, and Ichabod Crane in Columbia County and Cairo-Durham, Catskill, Coxsackie-Athens, and Greenville in Greene County.
During a Legislative Breakfast on February 3, local superintendents shared how this aid proposal would not cover the rising cost of contractual agreements, health insurance, energy, and other areas. They indicated that local districts need a funding formula that is predictable and sustainable, recognizing the fixed costs of operating schools.
Increasing Expense-Based Aids
The Executive Budget funds formulas that reimburse a portion of certain district expenses in construction, transportation, shared services through BOCES, and the educational costs of students with disabilities. These aid categories, minus Building Aid, would increase by 2.9 percent.
In Columbia, Greene, and Rensselaer counties, where school communities can span hundreds of square miles, transportation aid is essential. During their meeting with legislators, superintendents also discussed how the state’s mandate to transition to zero-emission buses by 2035 is a looming fiscal and logistical challenge. They asked for the requirement to be delayed until 2040 to better align with the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Pre-K Expansion
The Governor is proposing that all four-year olds have the option of attending a full-day prekindergarten program by the 2028-29 school year. New rates would be available to school districts starting in 2027, allowing districts to serve more students in Pre-K programs immediately.
While the state’s intention to expand early learning is admirable, school districts may face logistical challenges with implementing this new mandate, including finding certified teachers, and existing space within their buildings.
Other Initiatives
The Governor proposes to require the State Education Department to provide school districts with instructional best practices in the teaching of math to K-5 students. The Executive Budget provides $2 million to the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) Education and Learning Trust and $2 million for regional hub pilots operated by BOCES to provide training and support to educators.
The Governor’s $9 million proposal for high-impact tutoring is a start, but local districts also need sustained funding for mental health professionals. In counties where access to mental health and tutoring services is limited, schools have become the de facto primary providers of these essential services.
The Governor is also proposing a $55 million increase to continue implementation of the Universal Free School Meals program enacted in the 2026 budget.
It is important to note that this is just a portion of the Governor’s proposal – and the starting point for state budget 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.
In the meantime, school districts across the region and state have begun the process of developing proposed budgets for the 2026-27 school year – a process they will finalize in late April.
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 19. Learn more about your district’s budget by visiting your district’s website or attending a school board meeting.