Assemblymen Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) and Phil Steck (D-Colonie) have been working to speed up the repayment of $3.8 million in past due transportation aid to the Schenectady City School District. The funding was initially distributed to the school district but later taken away by the NYS Education Department when it was discovered that a technical error was made in a 2003 bid advertisement.

Earlier this year the funding was approved for repayment, but the timetable remains uncertain, prompting local officials to introduce legislation (A.5662-A) aimed at correcting the original oversight that forced SCSD to lose their transportation funding. The legislation awaits action by Governor Cuomo.

“I urge Governor Cuomo to sign this legislation so we can really get the ball rolling and finally get the $3.8 million returned to SCSD,” said Santabarbara. “At a time when school budgets are already tight this funding could make a significant difference for our students.”

“School children and taxpayers should not be left on the hook because of a technical error,” Assemblymember Phil Steck said. “All education funding is vital to keeping our schools running, and I will not stop going to bat for our students until the money is secure.”