Assemblyman Brian Miller (R,I,C,Ref-New Hartford) is proud to announce passage of his legislation (A.7499) to stabilize finances at the Schenevus Central School District, helping to protect students’ educations, as well as staving off a greater burden on taxpayers in the tight-knit rural community.

“The passage of this kind of legislation is what I was elected to do. I am so proud that my colleagues in the state Legislature came together to help enact this much-needed relief to help the Schenevus community,” said Miller.

Schenevus Central School District Superintendent Theresa Carlin said, “Considering the financial condition of our district, any help we are able to get at this point is a welcome. The ability to borrow on our future aid allows us to reduce costs and borrowing in the short term. This bill passing will allow us to request our future aid in the next year in the amount of $500,000, which will greatly help us reduce short-term costs. We are grateful to Assemblyman Miller for his help in getting the bill through the Assembly.”

As one of just five school districts in the state to be in “significant financial distress,” according to the state Comptroller, Schenevus Central School District was facing a budget deficit of more than half a million dollars this year. With only 360 students, the small, rural district has lost population, is struggling to afford higher costs and schools have seen revenue shortfalls. Without intervention, the school district would be unable to raise the necessary revenues without going over the state’s two percent tax cap.

Miller and his colleague state Sen. James Seward worked with Superintendent Carlin to introduce legislation to advance state aid payments to the district, as well as to assist the district in developing a comprehensive long term plan for solvency. Having now passed in both houses, the bill will return to the state Senate to be sent to the governor for his consideration.