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The Rockefeller Institute's report offers a set of recommendations –– some good, some concerning –– to begin a robust conversation about how to fix the Foundation Aid Formula. I want to be clear that any determinations about how to change the formula will rest with the Legislature and Governor. Further, we are not limited by what is proposed in the Rockefeller Institute’s report. I am carefully reviewing their recommendations in full and look forward to working with my colleagues in 2025 to ensure the formula truly meets the needs of our school districts and communities.
The Foundation Aid Formula represents our state’s commitment to offering every child, regardless of their zip code or needs, a high-quality education. But since the formula was first enacted in 2007, school districts have taken on greater responsibility, further heightened in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic. Our schools are tasked with helping students recover from disrupted learning, addressing significant mental health challenges and chronic absenteeism, and supporting an increasing number of English language learners and students with disabilities. We rely on our schools to prepare young New Yorkers to be active and engaged citizens in a dynamic and challenging world. The level of investment we provide must reflect the complex needs of our students and school communities and the challenges and changes they face.
At the same time, many communities feel the pressure of ever-increasing property taxes; and many districts do not receive sufficient state aid because of outdated or inaccurate factors in the formula.
The Rockefeller Institute’s report highlights worthy areas of consideration, including updating the Regional Cost Index, replacing Free and Reduced-Price Lunch as a measure, improving the weighting for English Language Learners, and reconsidering how we fund disability services. However, I have substantial concerns about some proposals, including the recommendation to phase out hold-harmless which many districts rely upon to continue serving their communities, despite changes in enrollment.
I want to thank Robert Megna and his team at the Rockefeller Institute for their thoughtful work and good-faith efforts to engage stakeholders across the state. I also want to thank the countless students, parents, teachers, school administrators, board members, and other advocates who testified at the public hearings or submitted written comments to the Institute. Your advocacy and engagement will be vital in the months ahead as we fight to fix the formula and ensure our communities receive the resources they need.
I am committed to working with my colleagues to achieve significant changes to the formula to ensure it equitably distributes funding to our schools and achieves the intended goal of securing a sound, basic education for every child in our state.
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