Malverne, West Hempstead schools receive state aid boost

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Malverne and West Hempstead schools are among the districts that will reap the rewards of a nearly $1 billion increase to school aid seen in the final 2018-19 New York state budget.

After a deal reached between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislators late on March 30, schools statewide were set to receive $26.7 billion in education aid for the 2018-19 academic year.

Nassau County schools will receive $1.2 billion in state aid, including building aid — or $51.3 million more than the prior year — according to state budget documents.

The Malverne School District will see their state aid increase by 4.76 percent, or $532,946 more than what they received for the 2017-18 school year, according to state budget documents. Without money that is specifically given for building aid — money that directly helps school districts pay for new buildings or updating or expanding existing buildings — Malverne will receive a 2.67 percent, or $279,105, increase in their 2018-19 state aid package.

The West Hempstead School District can expect $886,392 more in state aid for the upcoming school year, with $350,774 of that increase going specifically towards building aid. That amounts to a 8.89 percent state aid increase without factoring in building aid.

Schools in the 8th Senate District — including Massapequa, Wantagh, Seaford, Bellmore, Merrick, Freeport and part of Baldwin — were expected to get an additional $17.8 million, according to State Sen. John Brooks.

“As a former school board vice president, I am keenly aware of the challenges faced by both taxpayers and school districts to provide high-quality education to students,” Brooks said on Monday. “I’m thrilled by the overall growth of aid for [District 8 schools]. I will continue fighting to secure additional aid and seek ways to further reduce property taxes on overburdened homeowners.”

The state’s numbers are estimates, which may be slightly higher or lower when individual districts’ budgets are finalized.