State aid increase to boost Baldwin’s school budget

An increase in state aid could give the Baldwin School District a modest boost as it expects to adopt its $131 million preliminary budget on April 21 for the 2018-19 school year.

Based on figures released through State Sen. Todd Kaminsky’s office after the state budget was approved on March 30, Baldwin will receive a $419,948 increase in aid. State aid for the current budget is $29.1 million.

Baldwin’s proposed budget for 2018-19 is $131 million, which is an increase of more than $2.5 million from last year’s budget.

“Providing a high-quality education for our children is my top priority, and strengthening the school district is central to ensuring Baldwin remains a vibrant community,” Kaminsky said. “I am proud to have helped secure more funding for Baldwin schools so that our students can have the best learning opportunities available. Importantly, the more money we secure from Albany, the less Baldwin taxpayers are called on to shoulder the financial burden.”

After a deal between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislators resulted in a final state budget, schools statewide were set to receive $26.7 billion in education aid — a nearly $1 billion increase — for the 2018-19 academic year.

Nassau County schools will receive $1.2 billion in state aid, including building aid — $51.3 million more than the prior year — according to state budget documents.

“I am proud to have secured additional funding for Baldwin students,” said State Sen. John Brooks. “I will continue to focus on expanding the educational opportunities for our students while finding ways to further reduce residential property taxes.”

Schools in the 8th Senate District — including Massapequa, Wantagh, Seaford, Bellmore, Merrick, Freeport and part of Baldwin — were expected to get an additional $17.8 million, according to State Sen. John Brooks.

“As a former school board vice president, I am keenly aware of the challenges faced by both taxpayers and school districts to provide high-quality education to students,” Brooks said on Monday. “I’m thrilled by the overall growth of aid for [District 8 schools]. I will continue fighting to secure additional aid and seek ways to further reduce property taxes on overburdened homeowners.”

The state’s numbers are estimates, which may be slightly higher or lower when individual districts’ budgets are finalized.

Individual school districts will hold their budget votes on May 15.