Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, says she is calling for an additional $2 billion in aid to schools beyond the $377 million proposed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in the pending state budget.

Russell says she is also advocating for an increase in the reimbursement rate for free or reduced school lunches from six to 26 cents. The rate has not been increased in 40 years, which has resulted in districts subsidizing their cafeteria programs. Russell said.

Finally, she says she is advocating for the state to keep its commitment to fund full day pre-kindergarten across the entire state. In the North Country, it’s essential the program comes bundled with assistance for transportation costs, according to Russell.

“North Country schools have been underfunded for years,” Russell said, “and it’s getting to the point where there is very little left to cut before our children are robbed of a basic education.”

In particular the gap elimination adjustment, which has stripped away education funding since 2010 in order to close a gap in the state’s operating budget, has shortchanged local schools of millions of dollars in aid, according to Russell.

“The GEA has taken so much money out of our educational system that once stable school districts are on the verge of fiscal and educational insolvency,” Russell said. “I’m calling for an end to the five-year old GEA.”

In addition to eliminating the GEA, another focus for this year’s budget is driving funds into the state’s foundation aid formula, which has seen minimal increases in recent years. There was a commitment to increased funding when the formula was created. Failure to do so has put our most valuable schools further behind, according to Russell.

“We must either increase funding that is distributed under the formula, or come up with a new way of funding our schools to ensure our children receive the education they need to become successful adults,” she said.

Russell represents the 116th Assembly District. The so-called “River District” includes all St. Lawrence County towns along the St. Lawrence River from Massena to Hammond, along with Canton and Potsdam. It also covers northern Jefferson County, excluding Watertown.