FOR RELEASE: January 21, 2025
The New York State School Boards Association is delighted to see Gov. Hochul provide a nearly $1.5 billion Foundation Aid increase for the state’s public schools in her proposed state budget. Foundation Aid is the lifeblood of school budgets. Making sure that schools receive adequate levels of aid is key to giving students the programs and services they need while keeping property taxes low. The budget also rightly recognizes the need to replace woefully out-of-date poverty measures so that the school funding formula more accurately reflects true student need.
NYSSBA fully supports the budget proposal that gives every student across the state access to breakfast and lunch free of charge. NYSSBA has been one of the leading advocates of a truly universal school meals program, and this initiative will ensure that no children go to school hungry while bolstering their chances for success in the classroom.
NYSSBA is more circumspect regarding the governor’s proposal to restrict cellphones and other internet-enabled devices from schools during the school day. While we acknowledge attempts to provide some degree of local decision-making, flexibility and funding, we continue to believe that any prohibition of student use of cell phones should be determined locally. We also note that the proposal includes additional reporting requirements, adding to the administrative burden of school personnel.
Notably absent from the governor's budget were proposals related to zero-emission buses and career and technical education, two issues of great importance to NYSSBA's members. We look forward to working with the governor and members of the state legislature over the coming months in hopes of seeing them addressed in either the final budget or as stand-alone bills.