Education organizations call for state to keep the promise of full Foundation Aid funding
Schools across New York State are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic while navigating the rippling economic impacts of the pandemic, including four-decade-high inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions. At the same time, schools are being called on to provide a greater range of services and resources that meet the needs of the whole student, from expanded mental health services to addressing social-emotional learning through curriculum and programming. State lawmakers’ commitment to supporting students during this turbulent time has made a significant difference. The continued phase-in of Foundation Aid will allow districts to continue closing the decades-long gap between student needs and the resources available to meet them. It is critical that the phase-in of Foundation Aid move forward as promised, with full funding in the 2023-24 state budget, and reflect the full impact of inflation on school operating costs and the broader economic climate. Read full paper here.
