Foundation Aid Increase Plan
Section 10-d of part A of chapter 56 of the laws of 2021, as amended by §5-b of part A of chapter 56 of the laws of 2022, requires school districts receiving a foundation aid increase of more than 10% or $10,000,000 in 2023-24 must create plans on how these funds will be used to address student performance and need. These plans must be completed, submitted to the department, and posted to district websites prior to July 1 of 2021, 2022, and 2023. This is the final year that this requirement is in effect. It should be noted that this requirement does not obligate districts to spend additional foundation aid funds in specific ways, but does require the district to seek public comment and share plans on how they intend to spend these additional funds. Plans are required to cover only the foundation aid increase. The plan does not cover how the district intends to use its entire foundation aid amount.
Please note that the district's foundation aid increase for 2023-24 was included in the district's general fund budget that was approved by voters. Positions and programs were not specifically added with the funds. The aid allowed the district to maintain programs, class sizes, and student opportunities without having to raise the $4.2M through increasing other revenue sources (taxes). Since the inception of the state aid formula in 2007, the formula has never been fully funded. From 2007 through 2023, Lancaster CSD has not received over $134 million of foundation aid compared to the formula. NYS has made efforts over the past three years to fully phase in the aid formula. With 2023-24's increase, foundation aid for Lancaster is finally 100% funded compared to the formula for the first time in seventeen years.
We encourage all stakeholders to review the draft plan and provide feedback at any time, but specifically by 6/30/23 for this reporting period. Please also be advised that feedback will be accepted on a continual basis throughout the entire time frame of these funding sources. Input may be submitted via the following email address: LCSDCommunityInput@