Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, has announced the 2016-17 state budget makes a significant investment in education, enacts a SUNY tuition freeze and provides for capital projects within the SUNY system.
“This budget includes a significant investment in our schools, including a record high amount of Foundation Aid,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “That Foundation Aid is a critical funding component for our high needs districts in the North Country.”
The budget increases school aid by nearly $1.5 billion, providing a total of $24.7 billion in school aid. Foundation Aid is increased by $627 million and the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) is fully restored.
Superintendents and educators in the North Country have been vocal about the need to increase Foundation Aid, which directs funding to schools with the highest need, including rural school districts, the Assemblywoman noted.
In the 116th Assembly District, total school aid increased by $13.1 million, which is an increase of 5.01 percent from the 2015-16 academic year. Within that, the total Foundation Aid increased by $8.97 million, which is an increase of 4.46 percent from the 2015-16 academic year.
“The state has a responsibility to allocate our education funding so North Country students are provided with similar opportunities for educational success as their peers attending high wealth districts in other parts of the state,” Assemblywoman Russell said.
In the 116th Assembly District, total school aid increased by $13.1 million, which is an increase of 5.01 percent from the 2015-16 academic year. Within that, the total Foundation Aid increased by $8.97 million, which is an increase of 4.46 percent from the 2015-16 academic year.
“The state has a responsibility to allocate our education funding so North Country students are provided with similar opportunities for educational success as their peers attending high wealth districts in other parts of the state,” Assemblywoman Russell said.
“The funding to eliminate the Gap Elimination Adjustment will benefit our schools this year and into the future. It will allow us to focus our attention in future years on ensuring our districts continue to receive the Foundation Aid necessary for North Country schools to provide a quality education to our students.”
In addition, the budget includes funding for Assemblywoman Russell’s Farm to School pilot program in the North Country, which would provide fresh, local food for local school districts.
The program provides substantial reimbursements to local schools that purchase food from New York State farmers. By enabling school districts to buy more food from local sources, the program ensures students have access to fresh, nutritious food while helping local farmers, Assemblywoman Russell said.
“I am convinced this will be a successful program that opens more markets to our farmers and provides our school cafeteria programs with the funding to purchase and serve healthy, locally grown products,” Assemblywoman Russell said.
In addition, the budget includes funding for Assemblywoman Russell’s Farm to School pilot program in the North Country, which would provide fresh, local food for local school districts.
The program provides substantial reimbursements to local schools that purchase food from New York State farmers. By enabling school districts to buy more food from local sources, the program ensures students have access to fresh, nutritious food while helping local farmers, Assemblywoman Russell said.
“I am convinced this will be a successful program that opens more markets to our farmers and provides our school cafeteria programs with the funding to purchase and serve healthy, locally grown products,” Assemblywoman Russell said.
The Assemblywoman has been in frequent contact with stakeholders in the agricultural community and local schools to craft this program.
The budget also includes increased funding for SUNY, while at the same time freezing tuition for the coming academic year.
“We pushed back against continual tuition hikes at SUNY schools, and we won,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “We cannot keep pushing more and more of the financial burden on students and expect them to have economic security in the future. This measure helps to ensure that every student in the state has the opportunity to receive an affordable, quality higher education.”
Furthermore, the budget provides capital funding for campus-wide maintenance projects at SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Canton and other colleges and universities in the SUNY system, Assemblywoman Russell added.
The budget also includes increased funding for SUNY, while at the same time freezing tuition for the coming academic year.
“We pushed back against continual tuition hikes at SUNY schools, and we won,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “We cannot keep pushing more and more of the financial burden on students and expect them to have economic security in the future. This measure helps to ensure that every student in the state has the opportunity to receive an affordable, quality higher education.”
Furthermore, the budget provides capital funding for campus-wide maintenance projects at SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Canton and other colleges and universities in the SUNY system, Assemblywoman Russell added.
The budget also includes $13.3 million for SUNY to increase community college base aid (a $100 per full time equivalent (FTE) increase), providing a base aid rate of $2,697/FTE.
Jefferson Community College is one of 30 community colleges that make up the SUNY system and will benefit from this increased funding.
“This isn’t simply an investment in our students and our schools, but also an investment in our economy and future to benefit our communities as a whole. I will keep fighting for an accessible, quality education for all,” Assemblywoman Russell said.