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Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Full text
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Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to the apportionment of state assistance to school districts for school years commencing on or after July 1, 2009
Purpose
To implement a streamlined and simplified school aid formula -- the Statewide School Finance Consortium proposal -- so as to make it more fair and equitable for all school districts.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 -- Adds a new section 3602-a to the Education Law.
- Section 3602-a (1)-- Outlines the new school finance formula. This formula was originally created by the Statewide School Finance Consortium.
- Section 3602-a (2) -- Defines terms used in this legislation.
- Section 3602-a (3) -- Outlines the transitional steps to be taken in moving from the old school finance system to this formula.
Section 2 -- Effective date.
Justification
This bill implements the school finance reform plan developed by the Statewide School Finance Consortium (formerly the Midstate School Finance Consortium). Unlike other plans that seek to reform New York State's school finance system, this plan implements a simple, transparent, fair, and cost effective system.
Few believe that the current school aid formula adequately serves the parents, children, and taxpayers of New York State. The current formula has allowed a system filled with vast inequities and loopholes to be created.
The Statewide School Finance Consortium (SSFC) proposal has five main components. First, it starts with a $9,000 per-pupil "foundation." Next, the proposal allows for a second category of "extraordinary needs aid" ($3,150 per-pupil). This category recognizes the additional costs associated with educating certain students. Next, the Statewide School Finance Consortium proposal has built into it a "property tax fairness" provision. This provision ensures that school districts pay their fair share of their school costs and do not overly rely on state aid. Another provision of the SSFC proposal is that BOCES, building, transportation, and high-cost special education aid is unchanged by the SSFC proposal. Finally, the SSFC proposal contains a "save harmless" provision. This is to ensure that no districts are adversely affected by the SSFC proposal.
The system that will be implemented by this legislation has four significant advantages over the current system. First, this plan attempts to equalize the tax burden for taxpayers receiving similar services. Next, this legislation implements a school finance system that decreases school districts reliance on property taxes. This bill also establishes a system that is more predictable for taxpayers and school districts. Finally, the new system will be simple and easy for everyone -school administrators, parents, taxpayers, and policymakers -- to understand.
Legislative history
S.3545
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
July 1, 2009
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.