ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed 2024-25 New York State Executive Budget would cut more than $400 million in promised public school aid, according to the State teachers union.
Governor Hochul’s budget would slash Foundation Aid—the main source of state funding for public schools—by hundreds of millions of dollars. According to the New York State United Teachers Union, the move will hit small and rural districts the hardest.
Howard Dennis, Superintendent of Schools Penn Yan says, “That came as quite a shock to us. Devastating shock to be honest with you as we continue to pour through those numbers and try to get a feel for what that means for Penn Yan. That that will have a devastating impact on the programs and services that we’re able to offer our students.”
Dennis tells News 8 that these cuts would mean his school district will lose around $2.5 million dollars which is approximately an 18% reduction from the current budget. In context—according to NYSUT data—Rochester will lose just under $1.4 million which is a 0.2% reduction in aid.