BILL NUMBER: S1120
SPONSOR: OBERACKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act requiring the commissioner of education of the state of New York
to conduct a study on the sufficiency of current education aid appor-
tionment formulas, make recommendations for improvements to such formu-
las and deliver a report of such findings and recommendations and
providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 requires the commissioner of education to conduct a comprehen-
sive study analyzing the sufficiency of current educational aid appor-
tionment formulas, to make recommendations for improvements to such
formulas, and to deliver a report of such findings and recommendations.
Section 2 provides that such report shall include, but not be limited
to: a) an assessment of the impact of the tax cap on increased funding
needs; b) increased costs to each school district; c) changes in wealth
of each district d) increased requirements placed on districts through
state mandates, including the implementation of higher learning stand-
ards and testing; e) recommendations for new aid apportionment formulas;
and f) any additional information the commissioner of education deems
pertinent for the purposes of this act
Section 3 allows the commissioner to conduct such study in conjunction
with any other state governmental entity deemed necessary. To the maxi-
mum extent feasible, the commissioner shall be authorized to request,
receive and utilize such resources and data of any other state govern-
mental entity.
Section 4 requires the commissioner to deliver such report to the Gover-
nor, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education and the Chair of the
Assembly Committee on Education no later than December 31, 2026.
Section 5 sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Current education aid formulas are more than 15 years old, and these aid
formulas were adopted and implemented prior to the implementation of the
state property tax cap. The cap, white widely regarded as beneficial to
communities, nonetheless affects a school district's ability to raise
revenue at the local level. Other changes seen since the last decade,
such as demographic changes that communities have experienced since the
last study, new state-imposed mandates, as well as new learning stand-
ards and related testing requirements,'necessitate a new study to
discern whether the current education aid formula is appropriate.
Education funding, especially foundation aid, is designed to provide
equity to all districts in order to provide a sound basic education for
all New York students. This bill will ensure that the aid formulas work
towards this goal given the massive changes in New York State that have
taken place over the last two decades, and will also ensure that any
shortcomings will have recommended fixes to go along With them.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.5113/A3144 of 2023-24 - Referred to Committee on Education
S.1807/A.6149 of 2021-22
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately and shall expire and be deemed repeated January 1, 2027.