Politics & Government

Southampton-Area Schools Set to Receive More State Aid

The final draft of the state budget being voted on Thursday would increase state aid to local schools, while the governor's executive budget had planned to slash it.

School aid figures for the 2013-14 state budget were announced on Tuesday evening — and they present a better picture for local schools than earlier plans that would have reduced funding.

On Thursday, the Assembly is expected to consider the spending plan, which would provide $21.2 billion for schools statewide, an increase of $936.6 million more than last year and $436 million more than the executive budget, according to Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., I-Sag Harbor.

“Making sure our schools have the funding they need to provide our children with a quality education is one of my top priorities,” Thiele said in a statement.  “The 2013 State Budget comes through for 1st Assembly District schools.  Making sure our schools are supported and our children have the best education possible will help them succeed at the jobs of tomorrow. It’s our duty to help provide a strong educational foundation for eastern Long Island students, and the 2013 State Budget does that.”

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State Sen. Kenneth P. LaValle, R-Port Jefferson, said, “We fought long and hard to insure our fair share of total state aid was maintained for our region.”

He noted that the Senate restored high tax aid, which is a major part of aid for some local schools. Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed reducing high tax aid by $50 million statewide — and $44 million of that reduction would have hit Long Island, LaValle's office stated.

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  • RELATED: 'High Tax Aid' Cuts to Hit Local School Districts Hard

“High tax aid is critically important to insure the continuation of quality educational programs while providing relief for tax payers,” LaValle said.

Here are the figures for public schools in eastern Southampton Town:

Southampton School District

  • In 2012, it received $2,301,515.
  • The governor proposed $2,259,125.
  • The final budget figure is $2,444,862, or an increase of 6.23 percent over 2012.

Sag Harbor School District:

  • In 2012, it received $1,427,081.
  • The governor proposed $1,308,882.
  • The final budget figure is $1,548,247, or an increase of 8.49 percent over 2012.

Tuckahoe School District

  • In 2012, it received $828,241.
  • The governor proposed $740,845.
  • The final budget figure is $953,227, or an increase of 15.09 percent over 2012.

Bridgehampton School District

  • In 2012, it received $563,875.
  • The governor proposed $517,572.
  • The final budget figure is $606,295, or an increase of 7.52 percent over 2012.

*Note: Sagaponack School District does not received state aid.


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