UPDATED: State Announces Restoration of Some 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.

Sayville was set to receive an over $4 million decrease in state aid, and under the revised budget, that number will now be $3,819,192, giving Sayville $369,826 more than originally anticipated.

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. The new figures increased the overall state aid, but also cut some funding for BOCES and Special Services within the Sayville district.

It is now up to the Board of Education to decide how to allocate the additional funds.

Before receiving the specific details, Sayville Superintendent Dr. Walter Schartner said Sayville is “hoping to lower the tax rate with additional money.”

According to Maureen Dolan, vice president of Sayville’s Board of Education, board members have to plan for the future as well as the current budget.

“The tax cap is still looming for next year and I don’t want to lose any more of these young teachers,” said Dolan, before Sayville’s specific numbers were released. “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.