FOR RELEASE: January 13, 2026
Governor Kathy Hochul today presented a number of promising initiatives for public schools in her State of the State address.
We are greatly encouraged by the governor’s plan to provide funding for universal pre-kindergarten. Strong pre-k programs can make a meaningful difference in a child’s development and education.
We acknowledge the governor’s efforts to bolster math and literacy instruction, provide tutoring for students, increase the pool of qualified teachers and make peer mental health training available to high school students. School board members take seriously their responsibilities to adopt curriculum, ensure high academic standards and safeguard student wellness. We look forward to reviewing these additional resources and guidance from the state to help board members carry out these important responsibilities.
When the governor releases her budget proposal next week, we hope she will continue her support for public education by fully funding Foundation Aid and ensuring that all school districts are guaranteed a minimum increase in funding.
Importantly, the state Foundation Aid formula – which drives most state funding to local schools – is woefully outdated. The governor and legislature put in place some meaningful updates to the formula last year, but fiscal challenges remain for school districts. We encourage the governor to propose much-needed updates to the formula so that it meets the needs of all students in the state.
Finally, we hope the governor and lawmakers will address some of the formidable obstacles, including infrastructure and financing needs, that schools face in achieving the state’s targets for transitioning to zero-emission school buses.