Assemblywoman Galef Supports Foundation Aid Formula Outlined by Assembly One House Budget

State Assemblywoman Sandy Galef is emphasizing the importance of supporting the Foundation Aid proposals in the Assembly Budget over the plans submitted by the Governor and the Senate. The Assembly plan adds $1.4 Billion to the Foundation Aid funding for the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year, while the other plans fall far short of this funding plan.

Created in 2007 as a result of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit, Foundation Aid was created in order to ensure that schools have the funding needed to provide their students with a “sound basic education.” The current formula, which is continued in the Assembly Budget, distributes education funding based on student need, and takes into account a variety of factors such as poverty, disability, and English language learners. The formula aims to ensure that the greater the need, the greater funding the school district receives.

“Different schools have different needs, this should not be a surprise or a new idea,” said Galef. “The Assembly has made the only proposal this year that does the right thing for the many students in our state. We need to prioritize funding based on the needs of the children, this is the only way of making sure that the students of New York are getting a fair education.

“I am particularly concerned about the Peekskill and Ossining school districts which have major increased enrollment and more students who are eligible for free lunch programs and have more English Language Learning needs and that they receive the most benefit from the Foundation Aid formula. The Assembly budget serves Peekskill and Ossining districts more favorably and hopefully will be supported through Budget negotiations.”