NYSASBO School Aid Proposal Released

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ALBANY, NY (12/04/2013)(readMedia)-- The New York State Association of School Business Officials (NYSASBO) released today its proposal for state funding of public schools in 2014.

NYSASBO recommends $7.7 billion over three years in either increased aid or mandate relief. This amounts to approximately $2.6 billion a year that would phase out the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) and phase in the Foundation Aid formula proposed in 2007. This includes $680 million to continue expense-based aids without change. The proposal also includes mandate relief and strengthening accountability for the oversight of public resources.

"Our request is a balanced approach that provides a light at the end of the tunnel for school districts suffering from insufficient funding and costly mandates," stated Michael J. Borges, NYSASBO Executive Director.

The additional funds will phase out the remaining $1.6 billion in GEA reductions imposed since 2010 and restore school districts to a level of state aid promised to them in 2007 under the new Foundation Aid formula. The proposal would bring state aid to schools to $21 billion by the 2017-18 school year.

Because some school districts, based on the intricacies of the formulas, benefit more from the phase out of the GEA and others benefit more from fully funding the Foundation Aid formula, this proposal balances their various needs.

"We leave it up to state policymakers to decide on which combination of additional funding or mandate relief they provide; either way school districts end up with more in resources at their disposal to invest in their educational programs," concluded Mr. Borges.

The full proposal can be found at www.nysasbo.org.