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Superintendent: state budget brings modest aid increases, new weightings and later electric-bus deadlines
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Woodcock briefed the board on the 2026 New York state budget: a 2% minimum Foundation Aid increase, higher ELL weighting, a new weighting for homeless/foster students, a delay in the zero-emission bus timeline, and changes to retirement tiers — implications the district will study and follow with policy updates.
Superintendent Dr. Woodcock told the board that the recently passed New York state budget included several provisions that will affect district planning and finances. "We have the 2% minimum increase for Foundation Aid instead of the 1% originally proposed by the governor," she said, and described new weightings for English-language learners and a new 0.12 weighting category for students who are homeless or in foster care.
Dr. Woodcock also summarized transportation and personnel changes contained in the budget: the zero-emission bus schedule was pushed back (districts may not purchase diesel buses after 2032 and are expected to have fully electric fleets by 2040), and adjustments to Tier 6 retirement rules take effect Oct. 1. She said guidance and charts on contribution rates and other budget details will be provided in her weekly memo for board review.
