The Syosset Central School District Board of Education heard a summary of the district’s foundation-aid allocation and a high-level plan for using the new funds for the coming school year.

Dr. Lauren Ruffo, the district’s treasurer and presenter on the topic, said the state budget for 2023–24 included a foundation-aid increase of “approximately $7,900,000 or 50% over the amount we received in the 22–23 budgeted foundation aid.” She also reported the district’s cash position, saying, “the cash on hand for the month end April 2023 was $82,849,239.”

Why it matters: The infusion of state aid gives the district one-time or recurring capacity to expand academic interventions, student supports and staffing without immediately increasing local property‑tax levies; the board must still approve specific budget items and staffing allocations as part of the district budget process.

Planned uses presented
- Academic interventions and acceleration: additional tutors and instructional staff, professional development to address learning loss, early literacy programs and instructional-technology tools such as Chromebooks and content subscriptions for remediation and enrichment.
- Mental-health and wellness: a planned partnership with Northwell Mental Health to provide streamlined interventions, individual counseling services for students and families, immediate crisis support and professional development for staff. Dr. Ruffo credited Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services Erin Goldwith for securing the partnership.
- Student-support staffing: funding to place a social worker in each of the district’s 10 buildings.
- Special education and ELL: additional instructional support staff (tutors, teacher aides, therapists), expanded contractual services and related-services support such as speech and occupational therapy.
- Expanded instructional opportunities: additional secondary-level instructional resources to meet enrollment increases and to offer more science programming.

Board reaction and vote
Board members asked whether the new aid level is likely to continue; Dr. Ruffo said the state’s intent is to bring underfunded districts up to their full foundation aid but that “there are economic factors” that affect future levels. A motion to accept Dr. Ruffo’s foundation-aid plan was made (mover: Lynn; second: Shawnee) and taken without opposition.

What happens next
Dr. Ruffo said the district will post the summary plan on its website under the budget section and that the detailed allocations had been discussed during the budget process. Staff will bring specific staffing and contract items back through the district’s normal approval channels as part of the 2023–24 budgeting and hiring cycle.

Ending: The board acknowledged the size of the state aid increase and directed staff to continue refining the implementation details and to report back as allocations are finalized.