State Budget Includes Restoration of Education Funding

State lawmakers announced an agreement earlier this week on a $132.5 billion budget, which includes the restoration of $272 million in education funding. 

While the details remain unclear, local school officials say any money coming from Albany is welcome news. Specific information has not been given to individual districts, but Sayville Superintendent Dr. Walter Schartner said Sayville is “hoping to lower the tax rate with additional money.”  

State aid to school districts is still on the sharp decline, though, with payouts to districts set to fall more than $1 billion next year. 

While some districts have slashed programs, that is not the case in Sayville. “We have not eliminated any programs in our initial budget,” said Dr. Schartner. “We are focusing on keeping opportunities for our students with or without a tax cap.”

The Board of Education has the final say on what to do with any increase in New York State aid. According to Maureen Dolan, vice president of the school board, the board is waiting patiently to learn what aid Sayville will receive and will then make decisions once those numbers are obtained.

“The tax cap is still looming for next year and I don’t want to lose any more of these young teachers,” said Dolan. “If we get any extra money, my personal opinion is that we should put it back in the fund balance so we have less of an impact if there is a tax cap next year.”

The board will continue the budget discussion at future board meetings – a workshop is scheduled for April 7 and a business meeting is set for April 14.