New York school leaders say the late state budget is making it harder to finalize local spending plans before voters head to the polls May 19, according to Spectrum News 1. District officials warned they still don’t know how much state aid they’ll receive as Albany negotiations drag on.
School boards rely heavily on state funding to build annual budgets, but officials said uncertainty forces districts to make cautious estimates that could either create shortfalls or trigger unnecessary cuts. The state has promised at least a 2% increase in school aid, though final numbers remain unclear.
Lawmakers from both parties said the delayed budget creates problems for schools and taxpayers alike. Districts must submit budgets for public approval even while key state funding details remain unresolved.
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