The New York State Board of Regents is calling for a $2.1 billion increase in Foundation Aid for the 2019-2020 school year to support English language learners, career and technical education programs and universal prekindergarten programs.
“The Board of Regents and I believe that all children should have access to a high-quality education regardless of their race, where they live or where they go to school,” Board of Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa said. “The priorities and proposals put forth today build on the idea that every child in every school deserves to be healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged; and they will ultimately allow the Department to implement programs to achieve this goal.”
The Education and Health portions of the state budget are typically the state’s two largest annual expenses.
The additional $2.1 billion being requested by the Board of Regents includes $1.66 billion in aid formula increases, $410 million in statutory reimbursement-based aid increases, $25 million for the expansion of career and technical education programs and $26 million for universal prekindergarten expansion.
“As the Department continues to work toward ensuring that every student in New York receives the best education possible, the agenda announced today will allow us to work with schools across the state to provide students with a quality education in a productive learning environment,” said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. “An investment in our education infrastructure is an investment in our future, I look forward to working with the Legislature and the Executive as we build on the promise a of brighter future for New York’s students.”
The governor is expected to propose his own Executive Budget proposals, which will include education spending, when he delivers his annual State of the State Address in early January.
