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Averill Park reports slight foundation aid increase, sharp drop in assessment opt-outs
Summary
The district reported a 2.51% increase in foundation aid (about $32,000) in the final state budget; universal pre-K (UPK) inclusion and a five-year delay of the zero-emission-plus bus mandate were noted, and the district said assessment opt-out rates fell from about 13% in 2025 to under 2% in 2026.
During the board’s June 8 meeting a district official summarized several budget and operational takeaways from the final state budget and local efforts.
The district reported a final increase in foundation aid of 2.51, which the speaker described as roughly $32,000 in additional revenue compared with prior projections. The speaker also noted that universal prekindergarten (UPK) is included in the enacted state budget and that a statewide zero-emission-plus bus mandate has been delayed by five years — items the board said contain nuances that will affect district planning.
Separately, the board praised a district effort to reduce New York State assessment refusals (opt-outs), reporting that the opt-out rate has declined from about 13% in 2025 to less than 2% in 2026 after concerted outreach, which the board described as improving the usability of assessment data for the district.
Board members also provided brief updates on transportation hiring, saying recruitment of drivers and attendants is ongoing and making steady progress.
The report framed these items as favorable short-term outcomes while noting implementation details and broader state policy developments will shape future district decision-making.
