Calls for Negotiators to Focus on Foundation Aid and Parent Engagement in Community Schools
(Long Island, NY) Speaker Carl Heastie and the New York State Assembly Majority today announced their one house budget proposal on education. It includes a proposed $2.1 billion school aid increase. Importantly it includes $1.1 billion in foundation aid, which is targeted primarily to high-needs school districts. The foundation aid is part of a plan to get back on track with a four-year phase-in of the $4.4 billion in foundation aid that is owed to school districts as part of the historic Campaign for Fiscal Equity settlement. In addition, the plan includes $200 million for community schools, a program that offers social, emotional, health and academic supports to students, particularly in some of the neediest communities in the state.
“The Assembly Majority’s budget proposal would put New York’s schools back on track after years of underfunding,” said Billy Easton, Executive Director, Alliance for Quality Education. “Most importantly it includes a four-year phase-in of foundation aid which helps all students, but especially those in the neediest school districts. As the budget negotiations move forward, maintaining the $1.1 billion in foundation aid as proposed by the Assembly needs to be the state’s number one priority. AQE and the Board of Regents had called for more, any further decrease in this number would only shortchange the neediest students in the state.
“The plan to greatly expand community schools by doubling the Governor’s proposal is exciting. Community schools offer innovative and successful programing that addresses the full needs of students and families. Parent engagement must be a centerpiece in order for this program to succeed.
“Speaker Heastie and his colleagues are proposing an important initiative to address racial disparities in education that impact boys and young men of color. My Brother’s Keeper, as developed under the leadership of Regent Lester Young, focuses on innovative and successful reforms including family and community engagement, professional development and restorative justice.
“AQE would like to thank Speaker Heastie, Education Chair Cathy Nolan and the Assembly Majority conference for their longstanding commitment to fair and adequate school funding. From day one of this legislative session we have heard a lot about the Campaign for Fiscal Equity this year, this one house budget bill is an important next step.”
