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St. Lawrence County schools see boost in operational aid as state budget restores some 'Gap' funding, increases Foundation Aid

Posted 3/31/14

By JIMMY LAWTON St. Lawrence County school districts will receive a $10.3 million increase in state aid for 2014-15, now that state lawmakers have agreed to a spending plan, but most districts will …

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St. Lawrence County schools see boost in operational aid as state budget restores some 'Gap' funding, increases Foundation Aid

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

St. Lawrence County school districts will receive a $10.3 million increase in state aid for 2014-15, now that state lawmakers have agreed to a spending plan, but most districts will still be struggling to close their own budget gaps.

About $8.1 million of the state aid increase comes in the form of operational aid, while the other $2 million is allocated for building improvements. Operational aid, like it sounds, is aid that can be allocated to maintain programs and pay for services, such as BOCES.

About $5.29 million of the operational aid increase will comes in the form a restoration in the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA).

This year the state has also increased Foundation Aid for St. Lawrence County schools by $1.75 million.

The GEA and Foundation Aid are both considered non-categorical aid. Non-categorical aid can be used to offset cost increases in salaries, pensions, health insurance and programs. Non-categorical aid is the best indicator of how much more state funds districts will receive to run their schools next year.

A summary of state aid promised to each school in St. Lawrence County follows.

In the summary, the first number represents the total amount of state aid a school can receive under the proposed budget, including aid for building projects, equipment, transportation and other set costs. While the amount may be lower than the previous year for some schools, it does not mean the school will receive less aid that can be used for operations.

The summary also includes operational aid increases, which were described above and the non-categorical aid increases.

The summary follows:

Potsdam School District is eligible for a total of $13.8 million in state aid, a decrease of $3,680, or .03 percent less than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $504,579, or 4.5 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $434,271.

Ogdensburg School District is eligible for a total of $26.4 million in state aid, an increase of about $3.7 million, or 16.19 percent more in than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $828,716, or 3.96 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $823,627.

Massena School District is eligible for a total of $28.5 million in state aid, an increase of about $1.2 million or 4.3 percent more in than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $1.27 million, or 5.7 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $1.26 million.

Canton School District is eligible for a total of $15.9 million in state aid, an increase of $1.6 million, or 11 percent more than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $544,581, or 4.1 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $481,856.

Gouverneur School District is eligible for a total of $24.2 million in state aid, an increase of about $777,777 or 3.3 percent more in than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $784,854, or 3.64 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $701,394.

Norwood-Norfolk School District is eligible for a total of $13 million in state aid, a decrease of $400,074, or 2.98 percent less than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $535,627, or 4.68 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $506,087.

Morristown School District is eligible for a total of $5.1 million in state aid, an increase of about $242,193, or 5 percent more in than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $242,194, or 5.6 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $196,239.

Madrid-Waddington School District is eligible for a total of $9 million in state aid, an increase of about $322,942, or 3.73 percent more in than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $327,589, or 4.24 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $321,266.

Lisbon School District is eligible for a total of $7.5 million in state aid, an increase of about $114,158, or 1.55 percent more in than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $114,159, or 1.78 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $220,319.

Hermon-DeKalb School District is eligible for a total of $6.3 million in state aid, an increase of $37,301, or .6 percent more than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $242,399, or 4.42 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $207,812.

Brasher Falls School District is eligible for a total of $15.2 million in state aid, an increase of about $1.5 million, or 11 percent more in than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $943,536, or 8 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $699,647.

Clifton-Fine School District is eligible for a total of $5 million in state aid, an increase of about $178,423, or 3.73 percent more in than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $172,647, or 4.41 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $182,693.

Colton-Pierrepont School District is eligible for a total of $2.6 million in state aid, an increase of about $182,462, or 7.54 percent more in than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $165,895, or 8.67 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $84,273.

Hammond School District is eligible for a total of $3.5 million in state aid, an increase of about $253,044, or 7.72 percent more in than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $253,049, or 8.46 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $154,007.

Heuvelton School District is eligible for a total of $8.3 million in state aid, an increase of about $92,355, or 1.13 percent more in than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $471,025, or 6.74 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $292,035.

Parishville-Hopkinton School District is eligible for a total of $6 million in state aid, an increase of $125,076, or 2.12 percent more than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $175,927, or 3.4 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $197,715.

Edwards-Knox School District is eligible for a total of $10 million in state aid, an increase of about $511,317, or 5.35 percent more in than the previous school year. Operational aid increased $511,318, or 6 percent. The non-categorical aid portion of these new funds for the district is $291,709.