Proposed state budget sees $6.3 million funding decrease for Columbia County Schools

Under the proposed $233 billion budget, school aid will increase statewide 2.4% to $35.3 billion, but schools across the state could still see decreases in their funding.

Charles Dedrick, executive director of the New York State Council of Superintendents, said in a statement that the proposed budget undermines Hochul’s achievement of fully funding the Foundation Aid formula.

“The proposal would reduce by over $400 million the Foundation Aid level called for by the formula now in law. That proposed increase would be less than what the budget forecasts for inflation in the coming year. Districts strain now to find resources to offer pay needed to keep and recruit necessary employees,” he said.

Foundation Aid, an equation enacted in 2007, is the main source of funding for public schools. The equation takes into account the wealth of the district and student need to distribute state funds.

According to the projected state aid runs for 2024-25, school districts in Greene County would see a combined decrease in funding of $2.8 million.

The school districts with the largest funding decrease include Taconic Hills Central School District, with 26.4%, down from $12.8 million to $10.1 million, and the Germantown Central School District with 16.9%, down from $5.7 million to $4.8 million.

Chatham Central School District will see a decrease of about 9.9%, down from $8.4 million to $7.6 million. The Hudson City School District allocation will decrease 10.5%, down from $26.8 million to $24 million.

“We understand that this $2.8 million aid reduction for Hudson is preliminary, and we’re closely monitoring the ongoing state budget process,” said Hudson City School District Superintendent Juliette Pennyman. “We’re optimistic that the legislature will increase the final aid allotment so we can fully support the vital, comprehensive services we provide for Hudson’s children.”

The New Lebanon Central School District will see a decrease of 6.8%, down from $3.9 million to $3.6 million.

The only school district in Columbia County with an increase in funding is Ichabod Crane, which will see an increase of 6%, up $1.1 million from $19.6 million to $20.8 million.

Robert Schneider, executive director of the New York State School Boards Association, said in a statement he was disappointed that the proposed budget pulls back from the progress Gov. Hochul made with Foundation Aid.

“The proposal is hundreds of millions of dollars below full funding, since it appears that some districts would even see cuts to their Foundation Aid, reversing a decades-long practice of holding school districts harmless,” he said.

He added that the School Board Association expects districts to absorb the anticipated reductions in Foundation Aid, which would likely cut into programs and services.

“Districts are already grappling with the upcoming expiration of federal stimulus funding, and the academic and social-emotional needs of our students remain high,” Schneider said.

State Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-41, said the proposed cuts to education funding are “untenable.”

“It is imperative that we not only continue to hold our schools harmless but also address the long-standing neglect of our rural schools, which have consistently received insufficient Foundation Aid. Instead of sticking to a framework that we know isn’t working, we should have an honest conversation and committed effort to reevaluate how we fund public schools across New York state,” Hinchey said. “Our students and teachers deserve fair and equitable funding, and I will continue to advocate for our rural and upstate school districts throughout this budget process.”