2002-03 BUDGET INCREASES STATE AID TO SCHOOLS

Aid To Increase $610 Million Over Proposed Budget; $420 Million Annually

Thursday, May 16, 2002

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno announced today that the 2002-2003 State budget will increase state aid to education by $610 million over the proposed Executive Budget, that when offset by lower than expected building aid payments, will provide schools with a year-to-year increase of $420 million in formula-driven aid.

This school aid package totals more than $14.6 billion which is the highest level in State history. As a result of this increase, school aid will have increased by $4.8 billion since 1995, an increase of 49 percent since 1995.

"Despite the financial challenges we face this year, I�m pleased that we are able to provide schools with a significant increase in state aid that will enable school districts to provide the highest quality education possible, while keeping property taxes under control," Senator Bruno said.

Other highlights of the education budget include:

> Comprehensive Operating Aid is increased by $59 million. This category reflects a streamlining of five separate aid categories into one;
> Operating Standards Aid is increased by $75 million;
> BOCES aid is restored and fully funded at $55 million;
> Excess Cost Aid, which goes to school districts to pay for special education program for handicapped children is increased by $228 million, the first increase in two years;
> $67.4 million is provided for Teacher Support Aid;
> $30 million is provided for Teacher Centers;
> $6 million for Mentor-Intern program, a $1 million increase.
> $1 million for Shanker Program (for national teacher certification grants);
> $204 million for Universal Pre-Kindergarten programs;
> $11 million for full day kindergarten programs;
> $140 million for Class Size Reduction Aid.
> $25 million will go for Academic Support Aid to increase academic outcomes of the Big 5 school districts. New York City will receive $12.8 million; Yonkers $5.7 million; Buffalo $2.1 million; Rochester $2 million; and Syracuse $2.2 million.

The budget also allows the big five city school districts, New York, Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester and Yonkers, to access the municipal bond bank to speed up funding for prior year school aid claims. Fourteen others school districts with claims of more than $1 million, will also be able to access the municipal bond bank to speed up receipt of the claims. They include:

-- Niagara Falls $2.45 million
-- Utica $2.39 million
-- Amsterdam $2.15 million
-- Schenectady $2.09 million
-- Watertown $1.85 million
-- Troy $1.78 million
-- Albany $1.60 million
-- Fulton $1.46 million
-- Shenendehowa $1.40 million
-- Mount Vernon $1.33 million
-- Ballston Spa $1.33 million
-- Whitney Point $1.10 million
-- Delhi $1.06 million
-- Commack $1.06 million

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