Thiells, NY – In a continued show of support for local education, New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced that the North Rockland Central School District (NRCSD) will receive an additional $1 million in financial aid as part of the state’s FY2025–2026 budget. The funding marks the third consecutive year that Harckham and the State Senate have secured supplemental support for the district, which continues to manage the long-term financial impact of a 2006 tax certiorari settlement.
The newly announced aid will supplement the district’s existing school aid, Foundation Aid, and Universal Pre-Kindergarten funding. According to Harckham, this targeted appropriation was included in the state budget to assist school districts facing significant tax liabilities or changes in property valuations due to past tax certiorari settlements.
“My colleagues in the State Senate Majority and I recognize that the students and educators of the North Rockland Central School District should not be denied proper financial support and resources because of a tax certiorari settlement dating back nearly twenty years,” said Harckham. “This Senate funding will ensure that instruction and programming remain strong while protecting local taxpayers.”
The $1 million boost will help the district continue to offset the debt stemming from the 2006 settlement with Mirant Corp., the former owner of two power plants in the district. The settlement—still regarded as the largest tax certiorari in New York State history—left the district facing years of financial recovery.
In addition to the supplemental Senate funding, NRCSD is set to receive $134.1 million in total state aid this fiscal year, an increase of $14.3 million, or 11.9 percent, over last year’s budget.
Harckham made the announcement during a visit to North Rockland High School, where he met with students in a history and public policy class led by teacher John Denmead. The session, part of the Syracuse University Project Advance program, gave students the opportunity to engage with their state senator in a discussion about public policy and government. Superintendent Dr. Kris Felicello, Principal Lauren DaPonte, and several district officials joined Harckham for the event.
Dr. Felicello praised the announcement, saying, “This additional $1 million in funding, secured for a third consecutive year by Senator Harckham, will directly support our students and teachers—while lessening the burden on our local taxpayers. We can always count on Senator Harckham to come through for North Rockland.”
Board of Education President Peggy Zugibe said, “This funding allows our district to enhance programming and supports that meaningfully advance educational outcomes and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed in life.”
North Rockland Teachers’ Association President Debbie Brennan also expressed gratitude. “Senator Harckham continues to work hard for the students, teachers, and teaching assistants of the North Rockland Central School District,” she said. “We thank Pete for always securing funding that has a direct and positive impact on our school community.”
Harckham credited Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Senator Shelley B. Mayer, chair of the Senate Education Committee, for their partnership in securing the funding, noting their steadfast dedication to supporting education statewide.
“This is about fairness and ensuring our students have every opportunity to thrive,” said Harckham. “The state has an obligation to stand with districts like North Rockland—and I’m proud we’re doing just that.”