Assemblywoman Galef and Senator Carlucci Advocate for Increase in Foundation Aid for Education in the 2016-2017 Budget

(January 21, 2016) Assemblywoman Sandy Galef and Senator David Carlucci advocate for a greater increase in Foundation Aid funding in the 2016-2017 state budget, while applauding the proposed abolishment of Gap Elimination Adjustment over the next two years.

Today, Galef and Carlucci call upon their colleagues in both houses to put additional funds toward Foundation Aid funding. Increasing Foundation Aid will provide the greatest benefit to high-need school districts, such as Ossining and Peekskill, as it is weighted to the benefit of schools with English Language Learners, students from low income families, and students with disabilities.

Foundation Aid was put into place in 2006 after a NYS Court of Appeals decision in response to a lawsuit against the State of New York by the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, to provide funding to New York State schools with respect to student need.

The Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) is a built-in reduction in aid for schools statewide that was enacted in 2010. Both Galef and Carlucci believe that continuing the GEA would only lead to more districts being increasingly underfunded and support its abolishment. A bill to end the program has passed in the Senate, and is being considered by the Assembly.

“It is important to me to make sure that we are putting as much Foundation Aid funding as we can into educating our young people,” said Assemblywoman Sandy Galef. “As enrollment and educational costs continue to increase, it only becomes more urgent to properly fund our schools, at the same time bringing equity in funding to all of our students.”

“Increasing Foundation Aid will provide students and teachers with the academic tools they need to achieve success both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Senator David Carlucci. “I join my colleague Assemblywoman Galef in support for an increase in Foundation Aid.”

###