Assembly SFY 2022-23 Budget Includes $30.9 Billion in School Aid

Speaker Carl Heastie and Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto today announced the Assembly’s State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23 Budget would provide $30.9 billion in funding to General Support for Public Schools (GSPS), an increase of $2.1 billion or seven percent, over the 2021-22 school year (SY).

“The Assembly Majority recognizes that our schools and our students are still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on education,” said Speaker Heastie. “As always, we remain committed to ensuring that our schools have the resources they need to provide a high quality education to every child across the state.”

“As a former educator, I believe that there is no greater investment than the education of our children,” said Assemblymember Benedetto. “Our budget reflects our commitment to ensuring that our students are able to get back on track after over two years of educational challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Assembly’s proposed spending plan would increase Foundation Aid by $1.5 billion and would fully phase in Foundation Aid by the 2023-24 SY.

The budget also includes $150 million for Universal Prekindergarten (UPK), of which $125 million would be used to support new statewide universal full-day prekindergarten programs paying $10,000 per four-year old.

The Assembly’s plan also includes $100 million over two years for the Recover from COVID Schools Program (RECOVS), which provide matching funds for enhanced education or mental health support and would expand the allowable source of matching funds beyond federal stimulus funds. Other mental health investments include $2 million for the Positive School Climates Pilot Program, as well as a new $40 million investment for additional mental health grants. The proposal also includes $3.82 million to restore funding for school based health centers.

Community schools provide support to both children and parents with services before and after school, summer learning programs, health, mental health and dental programs. The Assembly’s proposed budget includes $100 million for new community school programs.

The proposal also includes $15 million for Digital Inclusion Grants designed to support innovative partnership models that accelerate digital inclusion across the state, and $5 million for cybersecurity improvements and technical assistance for school districts.

Six years ago, New York became the first state in the nation to fund the My Brother's Keeper initiative. The initiative focuses on family and community engagement, professional development, the expansion and development of exemplary school practices and models, and addresses issues related to restorative justice and racial disparities in education. The SFY 2022-23 Assembly Budget includes $18 million in ongoing funding for My Brother's Keeper programs, for a total of $126 million in funding since the program's creation.