ALBANY – School officials in Chautauqua County now have final state aid numbers in place to help them craft their school budgets for next year.
The $168.3 billion 2018-19 State Budget that was approved over the weekend adds $1 billion in education spending over the previous budget. That’s significantly lower than the $1.6 billion increase requested by the New York State Board of Regents, but nearly 25 percent higher than the $769 million proposed by the Governor in January.
The increase brings state education funding to $26.7 billion and of the $1 billion increase, $618 million is directed toward public school foundation aid.
According to the Post-Journal, Jamestown Public Schools will see an increase in foundation aid for Jamestown of $362,000 – compared to what the governor had initially proposed in his budget plan.
Jamestown School officials say they will likely use the additional money to help pay off debt services in the district and purchase five buses, rather than having to go out and borrow.
The school board will have to finalize any recommendations brought forward by school administration. The board will continue reviewing the tentative $85 million 2018-19 budget when it meets next Tuesday.
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