“Westchester’s Request: New Adjustments to NY Education Funding Formula”
Last week, the Democratic Assembly delegation from Westchester County submitted a letter to the panel reviewing New York’s Foundation Aid formula. This request, sent just before the Rockefeller Institute of Government’s deadline for public comments, advocates for changes to be included in the final report, expected by December 1, 2024. The seven Assemblymembers involved—Amy Paulin, MaryJane Shimsky, J. Gary Pretlow, Chris Burdick, Nader Sayegh, Dana Levenberg, and Steven Otis—highlight critical areas for revision to improve education funding across the state.
Key Concerns and Recommendations
Preservation of Save Harmless Provision : Assemblymember Amy Paulin emphasized the importance of maintaining the Save Harmless provision, which ensures that no district receives less Foundation Aid than the previous year. This safeguard is essential for districts with substantial expenditure-driven aids, such as those covering high transportation costs for students with disabilities.
Critique of the Current Formula: The letter critiques several aspects of the current Foundation Aid formula. Notably, it criticizes the formula’s reliance on assessed property values, which disadvantages districts in Westchester. Additionally, the letter suggests using median rather than average assessments and income levels to better reflect a district’s financial needs.
Regional Cost Index Issues: Assemblymember Chris Burdick pointed out that the Regional Cost Index, which affects funding distribution, unfairly groups Westchester and Rockland County districts with more northern regions, while Nassau and Suffolk Counties are aligned with New York City. This misalignment has led to significant funding losses for districts like Mount Vernon.
Support for Equity in High Tax Aid: The letter calls for a more equitable distribution of High Tax Aid. Since 2014, Nassau and Suffolk Counties have received $146 million annually combined, whereas Westchester has received only $11 million. Adjusting this disparity is crucial for fair funding.
Additional Recommendations: The delegation also proposed several other changes, including updating the tax cap standard to allow increases aligned with regional inflation rates, considering a multiplier for free and reduced-price lunch programs due to changes in application methods, and fully funding the Universal Full-Day Prekindergarten program with updated per-pupil rates.
Outlook and Next Steps
The Assemblymembers urge the Rockefeller Institute to consider these recommendations to improve the fairness and effectiveness of the Foundation Aid formula. They suggest that while some changes can be implemented immediately, more complex issues may require a phased approach. The goal is to provide predictability for school districts to plan their budgets effectively for the upcoming fiscal year.
Assemblymember Paulin expressed concerns about rushing the final report, stressing the need for a thorough evaluation to avoid disrupting school budgets midway through the year. The delegation is hopeful that the Rockefeller Institute will address these issues to support equitable funding across New York’s educational districts.
Also Read: “Local Chef Darian Bryan Lands Role in Nationwide Truck Ad”
