Governor Hochul Highlights Unprecedented Support for Education in FY 2024 Budget, Including $34.5 Billion in School Aid

Governor Kathy Hochul today highlighted historic education funding included in the FY 2024 Budget, including a record $34.5 billion in total School Aid for school year 2023-24, marking the highest level of State aid ever. Governor Hochul was joined by students participating in a STEAM-focused after school program.

"The past few years have been incredibly challenging for our students, and now we need to provide our communities with the resources they need to succeed," said Governor Hochul. "This budget takes transformative action to keep our children on track for success. Our students hold the key for New York's bright future, and our investment in education is making sure that future is brighter than ever."

The transformative investments included in the budget to support schools include:

• Historic $34.5 billion in total School Aid, the highest level of State aid in history. This includes $24 billion for Foundation Aid—a $2.6 billion increase from last year—to deliver on Governor Hochul's promise to fully fund Foundation Aid for the first time in history. New York continues to provide the most education funding per-pupil in the nation.
• This funding will allow some localities to reduce property taxes for families, in addition to helping give every child in New York the tools to succeed through a high-quality education.
• $150 million to expand high-quality prekindergarten programs to 20,000 children across the State, bringing the State's total annual prekindergarten investment to more than $1.2 billion.
• $134 million of State funds to incentivize qualifying low-income public and nonpublic schools to participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision program, allowing all students in those schools to eat breakfast and lunch at no charge.
• $20 million for Early College High School (ECHS) and Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) funding to allow students to earn college credits in high school, prioritizing students in high-need school districts.
• $10 million to create a robust high school to college workforce pipeline. The funding will be available for school districts, boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES), and community colleges to develop strategic workforce plans that promote job readiness.
• $2.5 million for the State Education Department to study and design a new rate-setting methodology to streamline and improve the timeliness of tuition rates for special education schools. This funding will help ensure special education providers can continue to provide high-quality services to students with disabilities.
• The reissuance of 22 charters that were originally issued to charter schools that have since closed. This will allow for an additional 14 charter schools to open in New York City and eight charter schools in the rest of the state, expanding educational opportunities for students and parents.
• Unprecedented support for the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY), including $2.4 billion in new funding for SUNY and CUNY capital projects and $256 million in new, recurring general operating aid for SUNY State-operated campuses ($163 million) and CUNY senior colleges ($93 million).

State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said, "An investment in our children is an investment in our future, and I am pleased that this portion of the budget prioritizes their education. The full funding of foundation aid is integral to providing students the resources needed to guarantee their academic success and expanding access to free school meals is a critical step forward to meeting the needs of our students. This funding will be instrumental in caring for the academic, physical, and social needs of our next generation of students, providing them with the necessary skills and resources to propel them into robust and prosperous careers in their future."

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages said, "By investing in our children's education through increased state funding, we not only secure their future but also reduce the burden of property taxes on families. Education is the foundation of progress, and it's time we prioritize it as a collective responsibility for the benefit of all. Working with our Governor Kathy Hochul, we are investing in our communities on Long Island."

Long Island Association President & CEO Matt Cohen said, "There is no greater investment than our children, and by funding education so kids can thrive, New York State also achieves the goal of reducing the burden on property taxpayers. We applaud Governor Hochul's and the legislature's initiatives in both K-12 schools and higher education to invest in our next generation, support families, and ensure children are prepared for the future workforce."

Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association Executive Director Bob Vecchio said, "We want to thank Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature for fulfilling the promise of fully funding the foundation aid formula for New York State's public schools. We also thank the Governor and the legislature for increased investments in UPK programs, mental health initiatives, and a great first step for the Healthy School Meals for all NYS student's initiative. We also stand ready to work with the Governor on refining and updating the foundation aid formula to ensure it continues to fulfill the State's promise to provide a sound basic education for all students in every community across New York State. Demographics and demands on what is provided in our public schools have changed dramatically since this formula was first enacted in 2007. We are also ready to work with the Governor to look at providing mandate relief to our local districts as another means of reducing the cost of providing education in New York State. Our locally elected Boards of Education are here to continue to provide the leadership necessary to continue to transform our public education system to meet the needs of our students for the workforce of tomorrow."

Nassau County Council of School Superintendents President Dominick Palma said, "This year's State budget provides for an unprecedented level of aid to schools across New York State. I applaud the focus on fully funding Foundation Aid, expanding eligibility to breakfast and lunch programs, expanding prekindergarten, student mental health, special education, and career and technical education. The historic increase in aid will allow many districts across our region to maintain or implement new programs and services that support student growth and success at all levels. I thank Gov. Hochul and our New York State legislators for their continued support of public education."

Elmont School District Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Rosner said, "The Elmont Elementary School District would like to thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to public education in NY State. The full funding of Foundation Aid will enable our school district to continue to provide high levels of programing for all our students, while easing the tax burden for the families of our community. We are proud of the work we are doing to educate the "whole child", and we look forward to the continued partnership with our Governor."

Elmont School District Board of Education President Michael A. Jaime said, "On behalf of the Elmont scholars and scholars across Long Island, I express gratitude towards Governor Hochul and her administration for their commitment to fully funding Foundation Aid. The renewed focus on the importance of public education will positively impact the lives of countless scholars and improve the economic outlook for the state."

Dutch Avenue School Principal Cynthia Qasim said, "I appreciate Governor Hochul's support of Public Education and the expansion of Foundation Aid. The programs create a pipeline for my students to become future engineers, scientists, and mathematicians. Developing the necessary foundational skills must begin at the elementary level, where students can explore different concepts and build background knowledge that will help develop their skills, so they become thinkers and innovators and prepare them for jobs that don't exist yet."

Dutch Avenue School Student Khloe Gajadhar said, "Students must be given the opportunity to participate in clubs like 3D Printing, Drone, and LEGO Robotics. The activities challenge the brain, and we were able to understand how things work! Participating in STEAM programs allows my peers and I to explore engineering and think about working in the field."