She noted this would allow schools in the North Country to maintain existing programs.
"Our budget proposal makes a significant and necessary i increase in funding for our schools and invests in SUNY colleges and private universities," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
"We have also made an investment in the expansion of youth mental health services. This will help local school districts provide the programs and services our children need to succeed and be safe at school," she noted.
Assemblywoman Jenne said the additional funding would allow local school districts to balance their budgets while remaining within the tax cap.
"We have also proposed several changes to the governor's proposed spending plan that would have interfered with local control of our schools and their ability to work together through BOCES," she said.
The spending plan allocates $27.1 billion in school aid, which is an increase of $1.5 billion or 5.6 percent over the 2017-18 School Year (SY).
The Assembly proposes increasing Foundation Aid to $18.4 billion for SY 2018-19, an increase of $1.2 billion.
"This allocation helps fund the state's obligation for our neediest schools pursuant to the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, bringing all schools to at least 50 percent of their total Foundation Aid that is due to them," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
The Assembly proposal also includes a multi-year phase-in of Foundation Aid, ensuring all school districts will receive their full Foundation Aid allotment by SY 2021-22.
Assemblywoman Jenne said a number of school districts in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties are currently underfunded in the Foundation Aid category. She pointed out, for example, that Norwood-Norfolk School Superintendent Jamie Cruikshank has told her his district is underfunded by $2 million in the Foundation Aid formula.
The Assembly budget also makes critical investments in community schools, which offer a holistic approach to educating students by acting as community hubs and offering wraparound services. It also funds the Supportive Schools Grant Program, which helps districts improve school climate, safety, and implements the Dignity for All Students Act. Other significant investments include funding for pre-kindergarten and student mental health services.
"I have met with Massena Central School Superintendent Patrick Brady and Community School Site Coordinator Kristin Colarusso-Martin and have seen the good work they are doing in the Massena community, the partnerships they have reached with community agencies and organizations, to better serve all the needs of their students. It's a great start, and I know other schools in the region are working to grow their community schools programs," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
Assemblywoman Jenne said the Assembly's budget plan provides critical funding streams to the SUNY colleges and universities and continues to focus on making college affordable for North Country students.
'We have pushed back against major changes proposed for how the state supports colleges and our neediest students," she stressed.
Assemblywoman Jenne said the she had repeatedly heard from college officials at SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Canton and Jefferson Community College about the need for capital dollars to make necessary improvements to aging infrastructure as well as for construction of buildings for new programs.
The Assembly's budget proposal continues the progress of the Higher Education Road to Success Initiative by making a $16 billion investment to promote college affordability in New York State.
It includes a 20 percent increase over 2017-18 levels for opportunity programs for a total investment of $23.8 million, and increases base aid at SUNY and CUNY to $2,747/Full Time Equivalent (FTE).
The proposal restores $200 million in capital support to SUNY for critical maintenance and $100 million each to CUNY and SUNY for expansion projects.
"It is critically important to provide our SUNY colleges and universities with the funding they need to serve increasing numbers of students that are utilizing our state's college affordability initiatives," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
The Assembly plan also restores $24.6 million to fully fund Bundy Aid. St. Lawrence University currently receives approximately $175,000 in Bundy Aid, and Clarkson is the recipient of $320,000.
"This funding is critical to independent colleges and universities in the state, including Clarkson and St. Lawrence University," the assemblywoman said. "The elimination of Bundy Aid would likely make it more expensive for our students to attend independent colleges and universities.
IN THE PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne speaks to student government leaders Friday during a student leadership event Friday at Jefferson-Lewis BOCES.
IN THE PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne speaks to student government leaders Friday during a student leadership event Friday at Jefferson-Lewis BOCES.