Sound Off: Is The State Doing Enough to Fund Local Schools?

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced last week that total state aid to local school districts would increase by 4 percent next year under his executive budget proposal. 

That hike restores some state aid to districts, many of which have seen double digit percent drops in state aid over the past few years.

The news drew mixed reactions from local superintendents. Sayville Superintendent Walter Schartner the restored aid would help keep the district in line with the state's new 2 percent tax cap. 

In West Islip, though, Superintendent Rick Simon did not his displeasure over the aid figures for his district.

"I was disappointed," he said. "I’m disappointed in that the governor's budget is supposed to provide districts with four percent increase in aid. Our increase was 1.57 percent. And even some of that is what we call aid that is not guaranteed, only a part of that is guaranteed."

Both Schartner and Simon expressed continuing concern over state mandates, and the costs associated with them. 

We want to hear from you. Is the state doing its part to help local schools? Vote in the poll below and share your thoughts on the topic in the comments section.