Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) touted an historic 16.5% increase in state education aid for schools within our Senate District included in this year’s budget. The unprecedented boost for the 2022-2023 school year is expected to deliver an additional $64.5 million in funding over last year, helping to expand educational opportunities while keeping a lid on local school property taxes.
Skoufis also succeeded in securing an additional $125 million statewide above and beyond last year’s allocation for universal pre-kindergarten, creating 1,651 new pre-k slots in just our Senate District alone–the most new seats added to any Senate District in the state. This investment marks the start of a three-year phase-in to completely universal, statewide pre-kindergarten.
“For far too long, schools were robbed of the funding they needed and deserved to keep our classrooms in good working order and our kids on the right track,” said Senator Skoufis. “This year’s budget makes key investments in students and educators while helping to keep a lid on local school property taxes. And for the second year in a row, I fought like hell for–and won–an expansion of universal pre-k programming outside New York City. By giving all of our kids a shot at a great public education, we’re leveling the playing field and setting them up for lifelong success. I’ll always fight for our schools and our Hudson Valley communities.”
A breakdown of foundation aid totals by school district is included here:
| School District | 2022-23 School Aid | Year-Over-Year Increase |
| Chester | $6,557,069 | $1,460,150 |
| Cornwall | $17,477,791 | $3,356,119 |
| Highland | $10,691,192 | $1,134,293 |
| Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery | $9,194,024 | $1,687,149 |
| Kiryas Joel | $1,460,459 | $42,537 |
| Marlboro | $12,597,448 | $2,995,517 |
| Monroe-Woodbury | $44,973,500 | $9,894,934 |
| Newburgh | $146,799,215 | $15,500,693 |
| North Rockland | $67,215,576 | $14,656,426 |
| Pine Bush | $46,152,288 | $3,950,846 |
| Valley Central | $32,666,367 | $3,593,591 |
| Wallkill | $22,577,795 | $1,246,397 |
| Warwick Valley | $18,977,656 | $2,189,342 |
| Washingtonville | $26,195,077 | $2,769,551 |