Weigh In On How NY Distributes Aid To Schools

NEW YORK — The SUNY Rockefeller Institute of Government is leading a comprehensive study of New York State's Foundation Aid Formula, which determines the financial support provided to school districts across the state.

The Foundation Aid Formula, established in 2007, is the largest state education grant to school districts. However, the formula did not keep pace with the shifting demographics that brought great change to the school communities, and inequities grew over time.

One group of school districts in the Hudson Valley and on Long Island that annually received less than 55 percent of the Foundation Aid they were due banded together to lobby in Albany.

The Harmed Suburban Five was formed by the Riverhead Central School District, Glen Cove City School District, Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District, Ossining Union Free School District and Westbury School District.

They were receiving less than 50 percent of their allocated Foundation Aid based on the formula — while the average level of Foundation Aid funding for school districts across the state was 80 percent, Ossining school officials pointed out in 2020.

As calls for re-evaluation grew louder and broader, the New York State Legislature mandated a comprehensive study of the formula. The findings will be compiled into a report scheduled for release by December.

As part of the study, researchers at the Rockefeller Institute are collecting feedback from the public and education stakeholders, including school families, teachers, staff, administrators, school boards, appointed and elected officials, education researchers and experts, and education-focused support and advocacy organizations.

Stakeholders can share input on the Foundation Aid formula in two ways:

• Provide verbal comment at a public hearing
• Submit written comment through an online form

Now through Sept. 6, interested members of the public can also submit written feedback on the Foundation Aid formula online via the Written Comment Submission Form.

The purpose of the hearings is to allow Rockefeller Institute researchers to listen directly to the education community and to record verbal feedback from a range of education stakeholders, center officials said. They will be held in Manhattan, Buffalo, Guilderland, Farmingdale and Laurens. Interested individuals must register in advance to speak at the hearings. Complete information and registration details can be found at the study website here.

Though the researchers have not scheduled a hearing in the Hudson Valley, State Sen. Bill Weber, will host a bipartisan discussion and testimony session on July 29.

"We finally have an opportunity to address the inequities in the Foundation Aid Formula," Weber said. "I strongly encourage every Rockland resident to make their voice heard and participate in this process, which will have a major impact for years to come."

• WHERE:Cultural Arts Theater at Rockland Community College
• WHEN: 6-8 p.m. July 29

Weber said the researchers needed to hear local voices in light of the significant shortfall in foundation aid that Rockland schools have experienced, collectively amounting to tens of millions of dollars annually.