The New York state board of regents has voted unanimously to request an increase of $1.3 billion, or 9 percent, in K-12 aid for the 2006-07 school year as part of an effort to overhaul how the state finances schools.
The proposal, approved Oct. 6, would eliminate 29 categorical programs and replace them with a per-pupil grant that takes into account regional costs, the amount a district is able to contribute, and the fiscal impact of students’ poverty and disabilities.
New York City would receive $706 million of the increased aid. The state is under a 2003 order from its highest court to increase spending on the city’s schools.
The state is spending $14.1 billion on K-12 education in the current school year. Under the state board’s plan, spending on schools would increase by $6.3 billion over four years. Next spring, the legislature is scheduled to enact a state budget for fiscal 2007, which begins April 1.
