Griffo calls for additional public hearings on Foundation Aid formula revisions
To ensure that all stakeholders are heard, New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome, is urging the Rockefeller Institute of Government to hold additional public hearings on updating the state’s Foundation Aid formula. The formula is the primary way New York determines state aid for school districts.
As part of the 2024-25 State Budget, the Rockefeller Institute has been tasked with assessing the formula and recommending changes that can be made to better meet the needs of New York’s schools.
The Rockefeller Institute scheduled five public hearings in various locations around the state to collect feedback from the public, school families, teachers, staff, administrators, school boards, appointed and elected officials, education researchers and experts and education-focused support and advocacy organizations.
However, the closest hearing to communities in Central New York, the North Country and the Valley is in Laurens, which is near Oneonta in Otsego County. The next closest is in Guilderland in the Capital Region.
In a letter to Robert Megna, president of the Rockefeller Institute, Sen. Griffo suggested that hearings also take place in additional communities in Central New York, the North Country and the Valley.
“There is no question that the Foundation Aid formula is critical to school districts and needs to be examined and revised. It also is essential that all stakeholders in education are able to participate and be involved in the process” Sen. Griffo said. “However, I am disappointed by the lack of public hearings in Central New York and the North Country. We must ensure that all stakeholders throughout the state can provide input. While I recognize that written feedback will be accepted, it is my belief that additional public hearings will allow for more people to express their opinion on this important issue.”
Written feedback regarding potential changes to the Foundation Aid formula will be accepted throughout Friday, Sept. 6. Those interested members of the public can submit written feedback on the Foundation Aid formula online here.
