Residents in Central New York’s suburban and rural school districts head to the polls Tuesday to vote on budgets and school board members. The late state budget means district spending plans were created without knowing how much state aid they are receiving.
The state’s roughly 700 districts know the governor proposed the minimum increase of one percent, and that senate and assembly budget resolutions double that.
“There's dangers either way, because if you overestimate your revenue, then you may have to cut programs or find another way to fund those programs, said David Albert, Chief Communications Officer at the New York State School Boards Association. "If you underestimate revenue, then you may have cut programs you didn't need to. So, it's a challenge.”
He said districts are grappling with a 12 percent increase in health insurance expenses, not to mention soaring energy costs, fuel prices, and contractual obligations. Albert said they push lawmakers for as much foundation aid as possible.
“Foundation aid is really the focus in many cases because it is unrestricted operating aid that schools can get from the state and use.
however they see fit," Albert said. "We also do advocate for full reimbursable aids, things like transportation aid or building aid.”
That frees up more money for student academic, counseling, or other programs.
Numerous policy issues have delayed negotiations on an actual budget. Albert said it’s become inevitable at this point, though he prefers that policy discussions be held once the budget is resolved.
“Are these issues mission critical? Do they have to be discussed now in the budget or can they be put off so that we can get a timely budget passed?" he wondered. "And certainly for the purposes of school districts to let them know what their state aid will be before they go out to the voters.”
Polls are open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Check your district’s website for polling locations.
State Senator Chris Ryan said his staff in Syracuse has been fielding calls from schools about the difficulties of finalizing their budgets. Ryan, a Democrat, said not only is it bad for school districts, a late state budget also prevents the Legislature from its most important roles to serve the public.
“So, we have thousands and thousands and thousands of bills that address affordability, which address human services, healthcare and we’re not going to be able to get those done because we’re still negotiating a budget,” he said.
Ryan said school districts can breathe a sigh of relief on the looming requirement to buy electric buses. He said his bill to pause the mandate for five years is included in the final budget.
“Until the buses themselves can catch up to technology, the affordability, the availability and also their ability to transport children... it’s just right now… there’s far too many unknowns,” Ryan said.
The senator said school districts can still purchase electric school buses within the the next five years if they choose.
