Curran, Skelos Secure Funding for RVC Schools

Under Governor Andrew Cuomo's Executive Budget for 2012-13, the Rockville Centre School District — despite a four percent increase in statewide aid to education — was only receiving a $111,697 increase in state education.

During the budget process, the Legislature argued that funds budgeted by the governor for competitive performance grants for school districts should instead be allocated for general school aid. Additionally, the Republican Senate and Assembly delegations fought for any redirected funds to be directly applied to a portion of the state aid formula that adversely affects school districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Following three months of budget negotiations, the final budget included a redirection of the competitive performance funds to general school aid. The final budget contained an $805 million increase in state aid for education from last year. Under the final budget, Rockville Centre will receive $198,646 increase in state aid. This is in addition to last week’s announcement regarding $75,000 state grant secured by the Legislature for the Rockville Centre School District.

"We successfully fought to have a portion of those funds directed toward a part of the education budget that adversely affects the school districts of Long Island, particularly Rockville Centre," Curran said. "This action resulted in the school districtgoing from a marginal increase in state aid to receiving an increase in state aid of approximately $200,000."