Budget increases school funding by 5 percent, but teachers union worried about tax freeze

By KELLY FAY

The state's final budget includes a funding increase of more than 5 percent to New York's schools, but education advocates say districts will continue to face financial hardship, especially those with high needs.

The $1.1 billion in additional aid to schools exceeded what was proposed in the Executive Budget and represents the most significant increase in education funding since 2008. According to the Governor's Office, nearly 70 percent of the additional aid will be applied toward high-needs districts. The spending agreement also included a $602 million reduction in the Gap Elimination Adjustment, which takes a portion of school aid to fill state revenue shortfalls.

However, funding fell short of the $1.9 billion demanded by education groups and the state's spending plan includes policies some say will widen the disparity in education quality for students, specifically, a two-year property tax freeze championed by the governor that would reimburse taxpayers in jurisdictions that stay within a 2 percent tax cap and make efforts toward consolidating services.

http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-04-02-87459.113122-Budget-increases-school-funding-by-5-percent-but-teachers-union-worried-about-tax-freeze.html