New York State Foundation Aid projected at 3% amid budget uncertainties

Foundation Aid updates took center stage at the New York Budget Workshop on April 10, 2025, as officials navigated the complexities of the state’s funding formula. The discussion highlighted the impact of a late budget approval last year, which created discrepancies in projected foundation aid for the current fiscal year.

Officials noted that the governor's proposal to reduce the Consumer Price Index (CPI) came too late for school districts to adjust their budgets accordingly. This resulted in a minor gap of approximately 0.5% in foundation aid revenue for the 2024-25 school year. Currently, the Assembly and Senate are proposing increases of 2.9% and 3% respectively, with a consensus leaning towards the latter. “We feel comfortable locking in that 3% as our foundation aid number,” one official stated, emphasizing the stability it would provide despite the uncertainties of a late budget.

In addition to foundation aid, the meeting touched on the ongoing debate regarding cell phone policies in schools, indicating that while foundation aid discussions are relatively settled, other educational issues remain contentious.

The officials also provided a refresher on county foundation aid numbers, illustrating how the new formula affects different districts. The data revealed a split, with some districts benefiting significantly from the new metrics while others remained close to the baseline increase.

As the meeting concluded, the focus shifted to expense-based aids, with officials reiterating that actual aid amounts will depend on reported enrollment and expenditures in the fall of 2025, rather than the preliminary projections currently under discussion. With state aid comprising 33% of district revenue, the implications of these discussions are critical for future budgeting and resource allocation in New York schools.