This school district in the Five Towns could lose this much in state aid

The Lawrence school district is projected to see a loss of $903, 403, the largest proposed reduction across Nassau County in state aid should both houses of the State Legislature follow the recommendations in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget.

Lawrence received $13.7 million for the current school year. The projected amount from Hochul’s budget plan is $12.8 million, Overall a 6 percent loss on total state and 38 percent decline of what is called foundation aid.

The drop in foundation aid for the Lawrence School District marks the most substantial percentage cut in any district in Nassau County, school officials said. Foundation aid takes a district’s wealth and student needs into account, helping to create an equal distribution of state school funding. It is the primary source of funding for public schools.

“The district is now evaluating the situation to best go forward,” said Jeremy Feder, the Lawrence’s assistant superintendent for business and operation

Hochul’s $233 billion budget plan includes a record $35.5 billion for school aid, an increase from $825 million from last year, marking the highest-ever investment in education in the state’s history, according to the governor’s website.

Lawrence’s budget would, however, see an increase in services for universal pre-kindergarten, BOCES and transportation, according to the state aid website.

“We are not having those discussions yet,” Feder said when asked if there was any worry if the budget would be approved. “It’s too early for that.”

Superintendent Ann Pedersen said she is extremely disappointed with the projected amount.

“Every year, every day really, I have conversations with the staff that support the students here and the needs are tremendous for our students,” she said. “They have large academic needs, lots of emotional needs and require support, needs that we need to address.

“I feel like they totally disregarded the uniqueness of this community, which honestly, is a recurring theme,” she added.

Pedersen said the needs are staffing and updating the school district’s technology, both constant needs, especially with district supplying its students with Google Chromebooks.

The district would not receive funding for technology, according to the state aid website.

The Hewlett-Woodmere school district could be receiving a 1.7 percent bump increase from the current $21.9 million, a $365,548 difference.

Increases in foundation aid, universal pre-kindergarten, technology and transportation for Hewlett-Woodmere were noted on the state aid website. However, a reduction in BOCES, software, library and textbook services was also highlighted.

As of press time, Hewlett-Woodmere officials did not respond for comment.

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