Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-New York) announced the FY 2025 Executive Budget, which is proposed to make “significant investments to make New York more affordable, more livable and safer.”

Local school districts, under new metrics in the 2025 budget, will see a decrease in state funding:

• Sayville: -$2,966,462 (-11.34 percent)
• Bayport-Blue Point: -$576,508 (-3.6 percent)
• Connetquot: -$107,000 (-.21 percent)

The executive office has touted the budget as “record-breaking investments in public education... since taking office, Gov. Hochul has increased school funding by record amounts—a total of $6 billion over two years—and includes a proposal to ensure every school district utilizes instructional best practices grounded in the science of reading.”

This year, the proposed budget includes the highest amount of school aid in New York State’s history, including:

• $35.3 billion in total school aid, an increase of $825 million (2.4 percent) from FY24. This includes a $507 million increase in Foundation Aid.
• $10 million to train 20,000 teachers and teaching assistants in best practices for evidence-based literacy instructional practices.
• 4-year extension of Mayoral Control over New York City public schools.
• $1.2 billion for SUNY and CUNY capital projects.
• $207 million for SUNY and CUNY operations.
• $2.75 million for the SUNY Empire State Service Corps, offering students community service work opportunities.
• $2.5 million for the operating costs of SUNY’s participation in the Empire AI consortium.
• $2 million for SUNY’s role in NY SWIMS.
• $1.5 million for the State Weather Risk Communication Center at the University at Albany

Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo (R-7th District) said the governor’s proposed cuts would “…lead to a reduction in programs and school staffing, larger class sizes, greater local property tax burdens, but most of all, they will negatively impact our children’s education.”

He noted that amidst the cuts to schools in his district, “The governor wants to send an extra $2.4 billion to New York City to deal with the migrant crisis. That money should be used to ensure that no school district sees a reduction in state aid. The migrant crisis must not be paid for on the backs of our students. In the coming weeks, I [will be] fighting to fairly fund our schools. Our students deserve nothing less.”

State Sen. Alexis Weik (R,C-8th District) echoed Gandolfo’s sentiments and said, “New York State has a constitutional obligation for the funding of a sound, basic education. Last year, for the first time, we were able to fully fund foundation aid. This year, the governor’s budget proposal underfunds foundation aid by $420 million, cutting funding to 56 schools across Long Island. Suffolk County will lose $32 million, and Nassau will lose at least $10 million, devastating some schools. The governor’s priorities are a disaster, allocating $2.4 billion to illegal migrants, yet shortchanging our state education system and all who rely on it. Just another reason New Yorkers will look to leave our state.”