Adjusted Executive
Appropriation Request Percent
2000-01 2001-02 Change Change
AGENCY SUMMARY
Community Projects Fund 27,804,325 0 (27,804,325) -100.00%
General Fund 12,995,935,760 13,573,637,100 577,701,340 4.45%
Special Rev.-Fed. 2,402,453,900 2,721,760,400 319,306,500 13.29%
Special Rev.-Other 3,614,957,200 4,300,314,500 685,357,300 18.96%
Fiduciary 1,337,000 1,026,000 (311,000) -23.26%
Internal Service Fund 18,290,800 15,499,100 (2,791,700) -15.26%
Capital Projects Fund 55,065,000 4,000,000 (51,065,000) -92.74%
Total for Agency: 19,115,843,985 20,616,237,100 1,500,393,115 7.85%
Total Contingency: 11,376,000 10,383,000 (993,000) -8.73%
Total for AGENCY SUMMARY: 19,127,219,985 20,626,620,100 1,499,400,115 7.84%
STATE OPERATIONS
General Fund 65,728,600 56,532,300 (9,196,300) -13.99%
Special Rev.-Fed. 166,071,900 160,392,400 (5,679,500) -3.42%
Special Rev.-Other 81,807,200 98,014,500 16,207,300 19.81%
Fiduciary 1,337,000 1,026,000 (311,000) -23.26%
Internal Service Fund 18,290,800 15,499,100 (2,791,700) -15.26%
Total for STATE OPERATIONS: 333,235,500 331,464,300 (1,771,200) -0.53%
Office of Management Services
General Fund 19,597,800 17,852,500 (1,745,300) -8.91%
Special Rev.-Other 16,553,173 18,874,000 2,320,827 14.02%
Fiduciary 600,000 600,000 0 0.00%
Internal Service Fund 10,465,800 11,550,000 1,084,200 10.36%
Total for Program: 47,216,773 48,876,500 1,659,727 3.52%
Elementary, Middle and Secondary Education
General Fund 23,057,100 24,528,000 1,470,900 6.38%
Special Rev.-Fed. 52,376,000 49,201,800 (3,174,200) -6.06%
Special Rev.-Other 978,900 978,900 0 0.00%
Total for Program: 76,412,000 74,708,700 (1,703,300) -2.23%
Higher and Professional Education
General Fund 3,775,500 3,808,000 32,500 0.86%
Special Rev.-Fed. 1,938,000 2,522,600 584,600 30.17%
Special Rev.-Other 7,769,427 8,161,000 391,573 5.04%
Total for Program: 13,482,927 14,491,600 1,008,673 7.48%
Office of the Professions
Special Rev.-Other 34,590,000 49,590,000 15,000,000 43.37%
Total for Program: 34,590,000 49,590,000 15,000,000 43.37%
Cultural Education
General Fund 18,386,000 9,431,700 (8,954,300) -48.70%
Special Rev.-Fed. 7,523,900 3,927,000 (3,596,900) -47.81%
Special Rev.-Other 4,175,500 2,135,400 (2,040,100) -48.86%
Fiduciary 697,000 366,000 (331,000) -47.49%
Internal Service Fund 7,825,000 3,949,100 (3,875,900) -49.53%
Total for Program: 38,607,400 19,809,200 (18,798,200) -48.69%
School for the Blind
Special Rev.-Other 7,537,900 7,537,900 0 0.00%
Fiduciary 20,000 40,000 20,000 100.00%
Total for Program: 7,557,900 7,577,900 20,000 0.26%
School for the Deaf
Special Rev.-Other 7,426,000 7,426,000 0 0.00%
Fiduciary 20,000 20,000 0 0.00%
Total for Program: 7,446,000 7,446,000 0 0.00%
Vocational Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities
General Fund 786,100 786,000 (100) -0.01%
Special Rev.-Fed. 104,234,000 104,741,000 507,000 0.49%
Special Rev.-Other 126,300 661,300 535,000 423.59%
Total for Program: 105,146,400 106,188,300 1,041,900 0.99%
Batavia Intermediate Care Facility
General Fund 126,100 126,100 0 0.00%
Special Rev.-Other 2,650,000 2,650,000 0 0.00%
Total for Program: 2,776,100 2,776,100 0 0.00%
AID TO LOCALITIES
Community Projects Fund 27,804,325 0 (27,804,325) -100.00%
General Fund 12,930,207,160 13,517,104,800 586,897,640 4.54%
Special Rev.-Fed. 2,236,382,000 2,561,368,000 324,986,000 14.53%
Special Rev.-Other 3,533,150,000 4,202,300,000 669,150,000 18.94%
Total for AID TO LOCALITIES: 18,727,543,485 20,280,772,800 1,553,229,315 8.29%
Elementary, Middle and Secondary Education
General Fund 12,651,811,460 13,268,099,200 616,287,740 4.87%
Special Rev.-Fed. 1,811,738,000 2,060,724,000 248,986,000 13.74%
Special Rev.-Other 1,413,000,000 1,545,300,000 132,300,000 9.36%
Total for Program: 15,876,549,460 16,874,123,200 997,573,740 6.28%
Cultural Education
General Fund 110,673,000 106,700,000 (3,973,000) -3.59%
Special Rev.-Fed. 4,660,000 4,660,000 0 0.00%
Special Rev.-Other 10,150,000 11,000,000 850,000 8.37%
Total for Program: 125,483,000 122,360,000 (3,123,000) -2.49%
Vocational Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities
General Fund 72,070,600 70,870,600 (1,200,000) -1.67%
Special Rev.-Fed. 419,984,000 495,984,000 76,000,000 18.10%
Total for Program: 492,054,600 566,854,600 74,800,000 15.20%
Higher and Continuing Education
General Fund 95,652,100 71,435,000 (24,217,100) -25.32%
Total for Program: 95,652,100 71,435,000 (24,217,100) -25.32%
.Community Projects
Community Projects Fund 27,804,325 0 (27,804,325) -100.00%
Total for Program: 27,804,325 0 (27,804,325) -100.00%
School Tax Relief
Special Rev.-Other 2,110,000,000 2,646,000,000 536,000,000 25.40%
Total for Program: 2,110,000,000 2,646,000,000 536,000,000 25.40%
CAPITAL PROJECTS
Capital Projects Fund 55,065,000 4,000,000 (51,065,000) -92.74%
Total for CAPITAL PROJECTS: 55,065,000 4,000,000 (51,065,000) -92.74%
Education Building
Capital Projects Fund 1,365,000 0 (1,365,000) -100.00%
Total for Program: 1,365,000 0 (1,365,000) -100.00%
School for the Blind
Capital Projects Fund 700,000 0 (700,000) -100.00%
Total for Program: 700,000 0 (700,000) -100.00%
School for the Deaf
Capital Projects Fund 550,000 0 (550,000) -100.00%
Total for Program: 550,000 0 (550,000) -100.00%
Cultural Education Center
Capital Projects Fund 1,500,000 1,500,000 0 0.00%
Total for Program: 1,500,000 1,500,000 0 0.00%
Administration
Capital Projects Fund 950,000 2,500,000 1,550,000 163.16%
Total for Program: 950,000 2,500,000 1,550,000 163.16%
Rebuild Schools to Uphold Education Program
Capital Projects Fund 50,000,000 0 (50,000,000) -100.00%
Total for Program: 50,000,000 0 (50,000,000) -100.00%
CONTINGENCY
General Fund 11,376,000 10,383,000 (993,000) -8.73%
Total for CONTINGENCY: 11,376,000 10,383,000 (993,000) -8.73%
Elementary, Middle and Secondary Education
General Fund 11,376,000 10,383,000 (993,000) -8.73%
Total for Program: 11,376,000 10,383,000 (993,000) -8.73%
ALL FUNDS PERSONNEL
BUDGETED FILL LEVELS
Current Requested
Program 2000-01 2001-02 Change
Office of Management Services 462 455 (7)
Elementary, Middle and
Secondary Education 526 541 15
Higher and Professional
Education 143 143 0
Office of the Professions 363 363 0
Cultural Education 445 0 (445)
School for the Blind 94 94 0
School for the Deaf 96 96 0
Vocational Educational Services
for Individuals with
Disabilities 1,066 1,066 0
Batavia Intermediate Care
Facility 29 29 0
Total General Fund : 775 476 (299)
Total All Other Funds : 2,449 2,311 (138)
TOTAL: 3,224 2,787 (437)
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
(Executive Budget: pp. 34-112)
The Executive's proposed level of State funding for General Support for
Public Schools is $1,078,000,000 less than what schools would receive under
present law school aid. The Executive proposes to increase General Support
for Public Schools (GSPS) by $382,000,000, or 2.79 percent over School Year
(SY) 2000-01 levels. In addition to this shortfall, the Executive proposes
the elimination of $51,325,000 in funds that are outside GSPS. The
Executive's proposal in total represents a $1,129,325,000 reduction in State
support for education that would have been generated under current law.
This agency is included in the Education, Labor and Family Assistance
appropriation bill.
State Operations
The Executive proposes a net reduction of the State Education Department's
(SED) staffing levels of 437 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions. This
reduction is primarily a result of the transfer of 445 FTE positions, of
which 295 are funded from the General Fund, from SED to the proposed Office
of Cultural Resources (OCR) contained within the Council on the Arts. This
proposal would transfer the cultural programs administered by the State
Museum, the State Library, and the State Archives from SED to a new Office
of Cultural Resources. This action would result in a General Fund
shift of $9,193,000 and an All Funds shift of $19,303,700 from SED to OCR.
The proposed net staffing reduction is also comprised of a net decrease of
7 FTE positions in the Office of Management Services and a net increase of
15 positions in the Elementary, Middle, Secondary, and Continuing (EMSC)
Education Program.
The Executive proposes an appropriation of $1,000,000 to cover the cost of
background checks for school personnel. This appropriation would fund 14
new FTE's to support this purpose.
The Executive proposes a $300,000 appropriation to support 7 new FTE
positions for the facility unit to implement the priority-based
construction program.
The Executive proposes Departmental efficiencies which total $1,900,000,
due partially to savings from the reduction of 6 FTE's in the EMSC Program.
The Executive continues the $100,000 that was added in the SFY 2000-01 enacted
State budget for the Office of Facility Management.
Aid to Localities
School Aid
The Executive proposes to consolidate eleven existing formula based aids
into one new aid category entitled 'Flex Aid.' This results in a
$146,000,000 reduction in State support that would have been generated if
the existing formula aids had been maintained at current law levels. The
new Flex Aid will replace Operating Aid, Tax Effort Aid, Tax Equalization
Aid, Gifted and Talented Aid, Minor Maintenance Aid, Public Excess Cost
Aid, Private Excess Cost Aid, Educationally Related Support Services Aid
(ERSSA), Extraordinary Needs Aid (ENA), Operating Standards Aid (OSA),
and Limited English Proficiency Aid. For the 2001-02 School Year, Flex
Aid generates $9,828,450,000 or 70 percent of the State aid provided for
General Support for Public Schools. The Flex Aid formula consists of a
floor that provides a minimum one percent increase for all districts which
is wealth equalized up to 1.5 percent, a regional cost adjustment based
on the wage index of 77 non-teaching professionals broken down into nine
regions across the State, and an aid ratio based on district wealth.
Overall, these factors of the Flex Aid formula drive a $250,000,000 or
2.61 percent increase in aid over SY 2000-01 levels.
Within the Flex Aid formula, the Executive proposes to create certain
performance funding measures. Under the Flex Aid Program, there is a
mandatory set-aside for districts that educate a majority of students who
fail to perform well on the State Higher Learning Standards tests. Also,
New York City will be required to set aside $33,000,000 of its Flex Aid
for maintenance projects and set aside additional funds for the continuation
of services to pupils with limited English proficiency. This proposal
results in the elimination of the current set-asides within Operating Aid
for Pupils with Compensatory Education Needs (PCEN), Early Grade
Intervention (EGI), and Attendance Improvement and Dropout
Prevention (AIDP).
By eliminating targeted aid for Students with Disabilities under Public
and Private Excess Cost Aid and aid to prevent the referral of students to
special education under ERSSA, the Executive provides no additional funds
to districts which may experience additional placements of children into
special education programs and services.
The Executive recommends freezing the Boards of Cooperative Educational
Services (BOCES) Aid at SY 2000-01 levels. This Program provides reimbursement
to districts for the shared services purchased through BOCES. There are 38
BOCES statewide that provide services to 670 school districts. This
represents a cut of $27,400,000 below that which would be generated under
current law.
The Executive recommends freezing Library Materials Aid at 2000-01 levels.
Currently, only $6 per pupil is provided for library materials. This
precipitates a cut of $242,000 below that which would be generated under
current law.
The Executive proposes an increase of $63,450,000, or 7.25 percent, for
Transportation Aid. The Executive recommends maintaining present law for
Transportation Aid, which includes the provision for summer school
transportation that was enacted into law in 2000-01.
The Executive maintains funding Special Services Aid under the provisions of
current law. This results in a $440,000 increase in aid over 2000-01
School Year levels for the Big Five City school districts for career
education and computer services.
The Executive proposes present law funding for Reorganization Operating Aid
which results in a year to year reduction of $3,270,000 and Growth Aid which
results in a year to year reduction of $26,640,000. In addition, the
Executive funds Tax Limitation Aid at 1999-2000 levels, resulting in a cut
of $5,140,000 in funds compared to SY 2000-01 levels.
The Executive preserves a new aid category enacted into law in SFY 2000-01
that provides additional funds to districts based on the number of students
served in approved summer school programs. The Executive proposes maintaining
Summer School Aid at present law, which generates a $4,800,000 increase over
SY 2000-01 levels.
LADDER
The Executive funds the Learning, Achieving, Developing by Directing
Education Resources (LADDER) Programs below the 1997 statutory agreement,
which results in a net $660,000,000 reduction in aid that would have been
generated by the LADDER Programs under present law. The Executive does
propose to discretely fund the programs that were statutorily enacted
during the in 1997-98 Legislative Session as part of the LADDER agreement.
In SY 2000-01, there were 52,000 four-year-olds served by the Universal
Pre-kindergarten Program across New York State. This represents 88
percent of the eligible children to be served in the Program. The 52,000
four-year-olds generated $201,000,000 in funding. Of this funding
$172,000,000 went to districts to run Pre-kindergarten programs and
$29 million was placed by participating districts in a Universal
Pre-kindergarten Reserve Fund. This represents 89 percent of the total
available funds for the third year of the Program. Under the LADDER
statute, $500,000,000 was scheduled to be appropriated for Universal
Pre-K in SY 2001-02. This funding would support the current number of
four-year-olds served and also continue the commitment to universality
that was laid out in 1997. However, the Executive proposes to appropriate
$225,000,000 for the Universal Pre-K program in SY 2001-02. This represents
a $275,000,000 reduction in aid that was scheduled to be appropriated
in SY 2001-02 to continue the Program.
In SY 2000-01, there were 1,096 additional classrooms provided by the K-3
Class Size Reduction Program. These additional classrooms were funded by
a $140,000,000 appropriation. Under the LADDER statute, $225,000,000 was
scheduled to be appropriated for K-3 Class Size Reduction in SY 2001-02.
This funding would support the current number of new classrooms and provide
an additional 1,472 classrooms to further the achievement of an average class
size of 20 in grades K-3. However, the Executive proposes to freeze funding
for the K-3 Class Size Reduction Program at SY 2000-01 level. This
represents an $85,000,000 reduction in aid that was scheduled to be
appropriated in SY 2001-02 to continue the Program.
In SY 2000-01, $50,000,000 in Minor Maintenance Aid was distributed to every
school district in New York State. This funding was used for minor repair
and improvements to school facilities. Under the LADDER agreement, $80,000,000
was scheduled to be appropriated in SY 2001-02 to continue the Minor Maintenance
Program. The Executive eliminates funding for this Program in SY 2001-02 by
including Minor Maintenance Aid in the proposed Flex Aid formula.
For SY 2001-02, fourteen school districts have committed to the conversion
of half day kindergarten classes into full day kindergarten. Under current
law, these districts would generate $4,900,000 to fund this conversion.
The Executive maintains funding for this Program in SY 2001-02.
In SY 2000-01, $15,000,000 was appropriated for Shared Services Aid for
school districts that do not have access to a local BOCES for instructional
support services, including professional development. Under the LADDER
agreement, in SY 2001-02, this Program was scheduled to grow to $25,000,000
to expand the opportunities and provide greater equity to noncomponent
school districts to access these important support services. The Executive
proposes the elimination of funding for this Program in SY 2001-02.
In SY 2000-01, $57,000,000 was provided for Educational Technology
Incentive Aid. The Executive proposes the elimination of funding for this
Program in SY 2001-02. Under the LADDER agreement, this Program was scheduled
to grow to $91,000,000 in SY 2001-02. Educational Technology Incentive Aid
gives school districts the option of purchasing computer technology through
a local BOCES or on their own and receive the same level of reimbursement.
The Executive freezes funding for Extended School Day/School Violence
Prevention grants at 2000-01 levels. Under the LADDER agreement, this
Program was scheduled to increase from $30,200,000 in SY 2000-01 to
$55,200,000 in SY 2001-02. Extended School Day/School Violence Prevention
grants enable districts to provide after school programs which include
homework assistance, and arts and recreation, as well as school violence
prevention programs.
The Executive proposes eliminating funding for Professional Development
Grants. Under the LADDER agreement, this Program was scheduled to be
maintained at $10,000,000 in SY 2001-02. Professional Development Grants
enable school districts to provide staff development in all areas.
Enhancing funds for instructional materials is also a key component of the
LADDER Program. Under LADDER, Textbook Aid, Hardware Aid, and Software
Aid are scheduled to grow by $84,000,000 in SY 2001-02. The Executive
proposes to freeze funds for instructional materials at SY 2000-01 levels.
Building Aid Modifications
The Executive proposes an increase of $169,670,000, or 14.43 percent, for
Building Aid. Building Aid provides State reimbursement for school district
approved capital projects based upon a district's wealth compared to the
State average. The Executive proposes to alter the reimbursement schedule
for refinanced debt service by providing payment for the refinanced debt
service during the next school year. This altered payment schedule would
result in the reduction of $112,000,000 in Building Aid due in SY 2001-02
under current law and payment of that Building Aid amount in SY 2002-03.
In addition, the Executive proposes that all Building Aid will be calculated
based on an assumed amortization schedule depending on the period of probable
usefulness of the project. For new construction Building Aid would be
paid on a 30 year amortization schedule. For major reconstruction and
additions Building Aid would be paid on a 20 year amortization schedule.
For reconstruction Building Aid would be paid on a 15 year amortization
schedule. As a result of assumed amortization, the Executive reduces the
current law level of Building Aid by $200,000,000 for SY
2001-02.
For future school construction projects, the Executive proposes to amend
the current Building Aid statute with a priority-based project selection
process. The Executive recommends that for all projects approved by SED
after January 15, 2001, SED would select projects for funding on a quarterly
basis consistent with priority categories established in the 1998 RESCUE
legislation. The RESCUE legislation required all districts to complete a
building condition survey and submit the survey to the Department by
January 15, 2001. The Department is required to establish a statewide
school facility need based on various priority categories such as health
and safety and overcrowding. The Executive proposes to annually provide
$130,000,000 for priority projects, $30,000,000 for emergency projects and
$60,000,000 for hard dollar projects beginning in SY 2002-03. In addition,
the new Building Aid funds would be allocated regionally where New York
City would receive no less then forty percent of the available funds.
The Executive recommends that projects that are approved by the voters
after January 15, 2001 shall receive Building Aid based on a district's
aid ratio based upon the time of project approval and supplemented by the
existing ten percent Building Aid enrichment. The aid ratio assigned to
the project would not be annually adjusted for wealth and would be
maintained for the life of the project. The Executive proposes to adjust
the calculation of the Building Aid cost allowance and eliminates Building
Aid for buildings that have not been properly maintained.
Teachers
The Executive's proposed budget for SFY 2001-02 increases the Teachers of
Tomorrow Program from $25,000,000 to $50,000,000. Existing program
components are continued including: recruitment scholarships up to $3,400
per year; certification stipends up to $2,000 per year; tuition reimbursement
up to $2,100 per year; master teacher awards of $10,000 for up to three
years; the Summer in the City Program, and the NYC Teacher Recruitment
Assistance Program. Funding for additional eligible programs include:
training for alternative certification candidates for a two-year period;
career ladders for paraprofessionals; incentives for retirees; a new teacher
induction program which provides professional support for new teachers in
low performing schools; incentives for teachers not to retire; enriched math
and science fellowships; and math and science academies which will provide
teachers with summer enrichment programs.
The Executive proposes to cut Teacher Support Aid to $15,000,000 representing
a reduction of $52,500,000 from SY 2000-01 levels.
The Executive eliminates funding for Teacher Resource Centers, a reduction of
$30,000,000 and the Teacher Mentor Intern program, a reduction of $5 million.
The Executive proposes eliminating funding for Professional Development Grants.
Under the LADDER agreement, this Program was to be funded at $10,000,000 in
SY 2001-02. Professional Development Grants enable school districts to
provide staff development in all areas.
The Executive proposes to eliminate $1,000,000 for the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards.
Other Elementary and Secondary Education Programs
The Executive proposes to eliminate funding for the following:
-- Comprehensive Instructional Management Systems (CIMS)$2,500,000
-- Bilingual Education Grants $11,200,000
-- Attendance Improvement and Dropout Prevention (AIDP) $950,000
-- Teacher Resource Centers $30,000,000
-- National Board for Professional Teaching Standards $1,000,000
-- Youth At Risk $5,325,500
-- Mentor Teacher Program $5,000,000
The Executive proposes to alter Small Cities Aid, resulting in a decrease
of $12,566,000 from SY 2000-01 levels.
The Executive proposes a new School-wide Performance Incentive Aid of
$7,500,000 to reward educational improvement in the Big 5 City schools.
The Executive proposes a new Fund for Innovation to fund technology
projects within the Big 5 City school districts.
The Executive proposes a new academic intervention services aid program
of $5,000,000 for Non-public Schools.
The Executive proposes a Summer English Language Immersion Program for
$1,000,000 that would be funded within the City University of New York's
budget.
The Executive proposes to maintain funding for the 17 school districts
that provide Magnet and Demonstration schools at 2000-01 levels, while
increasing funding by $210,000 for New Rochelle Magnet Schools over SY
2000-01 levels. Overall, the Executive proposes to appropriate
$135,650,000 for the Magnet and Demonstration School Program for SY
2001-02.
The Executive proposes $6,000,000 for the Charter School Stimulus Fund.
Up to $2,150,000 of these funds would be available to the SUNY Charter
School Institute to support technical assistance for charter schools.
Additional resources for charter school implementation will also be
available from Federal charter school grants.
The Executive proposes to maintain funding for the Employment Preparation
Education Program, Categorical Reading, Improving Pupil Performance, Aid
for Homeless Pupils, the Incarcerated Youth Program, Aid to Fort Drum,
the Learning Technology Grant Program, the Bus Driver Safety Program, the
Experimental Pre-K Program, Aid for Migrant Children, the Effective Schools
Program, the Transferring Success Program, the Adult Literacy Program, the
Missing Children Program, the Workplace Literacy Program, the Apprenticeship
Training Program, the School Lunch Program, the Education for Native Americans
Program, the Parenting Education Program, the AIDS Education Program, the
Community Schools Program, the Comprehensive School Health Program, the
School Health Demonstration Program, the Schools Under Registration Review
(SURR) Program, the Primary Mental Health (PMHP) Program, and the Summer
Food Program at 2000-01 funding levels.
The Executive proposes to maintain funding of $500,000 for New York State
Center for School Safety. The Center collects and disseminates information
and provides training and technical assistance on violence prevention and
intervention to public schools.
The Executive proposes to maintain funding of $500,000 for the development
of a K-12 curriculum that relates to civility, citizenship and character
education.
The Executive recommends maintaining funding for Prior Year Adjustments at
the current year level of $57,000,000.
Article VII Provisions Pertaining to Elementary and Secondary Education
The Executive recommends Article VII legislation to implement proposed
changes to the education aid formulas.
Education Aid Reforms
The Executive proposes the creation of a new school aid formula named
Flex Aid. The proposal repeals eleven existing formulas and consolidates
them into one new aid category, distributing these funds by using a wealth
measure and regional cost factor. Under this proposal the Governor requires
school districts with low student performance to dedicate a portion of this
aid to providing academic intervention services which is phased out with
improved performance.
School Facilities/Building Aid
This proposal repeals the current methodology for the payment of building
aid, and creates a new system which establishes priority categories for
building aid to ensure resources are targeted to address the most pressing
needs such as health and safety and overcrowding.
The award of building aid would be based on the period of probable
usefulness (PPU). For new construction Building Aid will be paid on a
30 year amortization schedule, for major reconstruction and additions
Building Aid will be paid on a 20 year amortization schedule, and for
reconstruction Building Aid will be paid on a 15 year amortization schedule.
Additionally, the Executive proposes payment of building aid on an assumed
amortization schedule to encourage the refinancing of outstanding debt.
The Executive also creates a provision for a waiver from the assumed
amortization requirements. In addition, the proposal seeks to simplify
rated capacity determination to reflect realistic allowances for
construction costs and student-based space needs.
The Executive proposes allowing school districts to use the Dormitory
Authority for financing and construction of school building projects as
well as for design and construction management of these projects. School
districts, including New York City, using the Dormitory Authority for these
services would be exempt from the Wicks Law.
The Governor proposes requiring school districts to issue facility report
cards by the 2002-03 school year.
Finally, the Executive proposes a reduction in the reorganization building
aid incentive from 30 percent to 15 percent.
Universal Pre-Kindergarten Reserve Fund
The Executive proposes authorizing the Division of the Budget to direct the
Comptroller to transfer unspent monies from the Universal Pre-kindergarten
Reserve Fund to the General Fund if the district has not created a plan for
fund use by October of 2001.
Other Formula Provisions
The Executive proposes requiring SED to update criteria for approving
school district reorganization.
The Executive proposes the establishment of a process by which to distribute
funds for academic intervention services to non-public school students.
The Executive proposes the targeting of services through a planning process
for funds received by the Big Five City school districts under the Categorical
Reading/Improving Pupil Performance Grant Program.
Preschool Special Education
The Executive proposes to extend existing restrictions on the expansion or
creation of new preschool special education programs for three additional
years. SED would continue to have authority to approve new programs.
Fingerprinting
The Executive proposes amending the school district fingerprinting law to
make it similar to the provisions which govern the screening of child care
workers, thereby changing current due process provisions for school employees.
Specifically, the proposal sets forth a list of certain crimes which would
automatically disqualify a worker from employment as well as directing SED
to provide confidential summaries of the criminal history records on
prospective employees to the respective hiring institutions.
Additionally, the proposal authorizes the conditional employment of job
applicants by school districts while they await clearance.
Local Accountability
The Executive proposes to cap school district annual spending increases
by 4 percent or 120 percent of the increase in the Consumer Price Index
for the prior year, whichever is less. Local districts would not be
able to exceed this cap without a two-thirds majority vote.
The Executive proposes that school budget notices be required to include
a description of how total spending and the tax levy resulting from the
proposed budget would compare with a projected contingency budget and a
comparison of the tax savings under STAR and the increase or decrease in
school taxes from the prior year.
Establishment of Office of Cultural Resources
The Governor proposes creation of an Office of Cultural Resources (OCR)
comprised of the State Library, State Museum and State Archives, previously
funded within the State Education Department. The OCR would be responsible
for coordinating and promoting cultural activities within New York State.
Several other states and the Federal government maintain separate cultural
agencies with similar responsibilities.
The Executive proposal provides for a nine member-board of trustees,
appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to five year terms.
The board of trustees would be responsible for the appointment of an
Executive Director.
Under the proposal, state aid for libraries and public broadcasting and grants
for archive management by local governments would be administered by the newly
created OCR. Current funding formulas would be maintained.
State law would be amended to remove responsibilities for the State Library,
Archives and Museum from Education Law. This would put all authority for these
programs under the Executive branch, outside of the jurisdiction of the Board of
Regents. Responsibility for chartering libraries and museums, and licensing
broadcasters would remain with the Board of Regents.
Governorūs Programs Bills
The Executive has indicated an intention to introduce legislation to
provide the mayors and city governing boards of the State's largest cities
with greater oversight responsibility for their schools. These school
governance changes for major urban schools will be accompanied by a new
Maintenance of Effort provision to protect the Big Five City schools from
disproportionate reductions in local support.
The Executive will propose that any student attending a School Under
Registration Review (SURR) school in the State's largest urban districts
be eligible to transfer to another school within the same district.
Higher Education Program
The Executive provides funding for Higher Education Programs within
SED at the following levels:
-- $34,650,000 for Bundy Aid, a $12,600,000 reduction from the current year.
This reduction is due to the elimination of $3,000,000 which was included
as part of the SFY 2000-01 enacted State budget and $9,600,000
decrease resulting from the Executive's Article VII proposal to restrict
aid by basing payment on the degrees an institution grants to New York
State residents only;
-- $11,500,000 for support the Liberty Partnership Program;
-- $7,500,000 for the Science and Technology Entry Program and the
Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP/CSTEP), a
reduction of $2,500,000 over the current year due to the elimination
of legislative additions included in the SFY 2000-01 enacted State
budget;
-- $16,400,000 for support the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP),
a $5,600,000 reduction over the current year due to the elimination
of legislative additions included in the SFY 2000-01 enacted State budget;
-- $635,000 for support the Postsecondary Aid to Native American Program; and
-- $750,000 for support the Teacher Opportunity Corps Program (TOC),
a reduction of $500,000 over the current year due to the elimination
of legislative additions included in the SFY 2000-01 enacted State budget.
Office of the Professions Program
The Executive proposes a Special Revenue Fund-Other appropriation of
$15,000,000 to support a one-time rebate in license renewal fees for
licensed professionals. The Department would rebate approximately 30
percent of the license renewal fee for eligible professionals as
licenses come due for renewal over the next three years.
Cultural Education Program
The Executive proposes the transfer of the cultural programs administered
by the State Museum, the State Library, and the State Archives from SED to
a new Office of Cultural Resources (OCR). This action would result in an
All Funds shift of $19,303,700 from SED to OCR.
The Executive proposes $500,000 in existing special revenues to provide
additional funds for the Documentary Heritage Program.
The Executive proposes to appropriate $88,900,000 to aid libraries.
This represents full funding under Chapter 917 of the Laws of 1990.
The Executive proposes a $1,000,000 General Fund appropriation for public
broadcasting stations to assist in digital conversion.
Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities
(VESID) Program
The Executive continues the addition of $5,800,000 for Case Services
that was included in the SFY 2000-01 enacted State budget for a total
appropriation of $51,100,000.
The Executive continues the addition of $800,000 for Supported Employment
that was included in the SFY 2000-01 enacted State budget for a total
appropriation of $9,284,000.
Capital Projects
The Executive proposes $2,500,000 for unspecified maintenance
projects within SED.
The Executive proposes $1,500,000 for a new museum exhibit to create a
permanent space for archival materials from former Governors of
New York State.