SSFC Proposal Components
(updated June 2007))
- Basic Operating Aid: $9,835 Per-Pupil Foundation
Aid calculated based on establishing a "foundation" of $9,835 per-pupil to pay for
their education. This foundation to be adjusted to reflect regional "cost of doing
business" differences using the Geographic Cost of Education Index (GCEI).
Funding sources for Basic Operating Aid would be local, state and federal.
- Extraordinary Needs Aid: $3,442 Per pupil
Second category of aid augments Basic Operating Aid, specifically recognizing the
higher costs of educating State-classified "at risk" students who reside in families
of below-average wealth, have limited English language skills and/or are living in
sparsely populated areas.
- Tax Fairness and Local Effort
A major feature of the SSFC proposal is tax fairness via an equitable local
contribution. A uniform local effort equal to $13.00 per thousand of assessed [true]
property value is applied. If it generates the [$9,835 per pupil] foundation, no
additional state aid is received. If it generates more than the foundation, districts
may impose a lower tax rate or spend more as they prefer. Wherever the $13.00
local effort does not generate the foundation amount, state aid makes up the full
difference.
- BOCES, Builiding, Transportation and High-Cost Special Education
Aid Remain Unchanged from Present Formula
Under the SSFC proposal, four expenditure-driven categories of aid would remain
as they are now. Basic Operating Aid funds the fundamental instructional costs of
educating a child. These categorical aids, while vital to education, are above and
beyond basic classroom instruction and should be funded separately.
- Save Harmless Provision
Implementing the SSFC proposal might mean less state aid than current for some
districts. Incorporating a "Save Harmless" provision, as has frequently been done
in the past when aid formulas were modified, protects districts from the sudden
loss of Basic Operating Aid.
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