State legislators led by State Sen. Sean Ryan and Assemblymember Karen McMahon have advocated for increased school funding in the state’s budget, countering proposed cuts by Governor Kathy Hochul. In a significant move, both the Senate and Assembly proposed amendments to ensure at least a 3% funding increase for every school district, reinstating the “Save Harmless” provision to secure stable financial support for educational institutions.
During a gathering at Williamsville South High School, stakeholders, including district superintendents and New York State United Teachers members, emphasized the critical need to maintain momentum in education funding, highlighting the positive impacts of last year’s full Foundation Aid funding on programs, student learning, and mental health support.
Amid concerns over the governor’s proposed budget adjustments, school leaders like Grand Island School District’s Brian Graham and Buffalo Public Schools’ Tonja Williams expressed the financial challenges their districts face, underlining the necessity for reliable state funding. With state revenue exceeding expectations, lawmakers argue that investing in education should be a top priority, suggesting a thorough review of the Foundation Aid formula to reflect current needs and data.
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