BOE: Increase in District Aid Expected From State

The Huntington school district estimates a 6.43 percent increase in state aid for 2012-13, based on numbers presented earlier this week.

After reviewing the expenditure side of the budget ledger in past past weeks, the focus shifted Monday to revenue sources that currently affect the district. As it stands, Huntington expects to receive approximately $11,620,014 in state aid in 2012-13 — $702,000 more than last year, according to estimates presented by Superintendent Jim Polansky. 

At the meeting at  school, Polansky said the district could always use more, but he's satisfied with the amount.

"In the current climate we are living in now, economically speaking, I don't think we can ask for a great deal more than we have received," said Polansky.

Of note, the district budgeted $18,080 in state aid for new hardware and technology, a 454.6 percent increase from last year. Aid for transportation and BOCES costs are also expected to rise significantly.

According to the Huntington school district:

• An estimated $1,000 in state aid buys approximately $700 worth of goods and services on Long Island due to regional cost differences. 
• Long Island raises a significantly greater percentage of its educational costs through property tax as compared to the remainder of the state.
• Proposed state aid per pupil is $4,440 — 27 percent lower than the statewide average.
• Long Island's Gap Elimination Adjustment is slated to be reduced 5.6 percent as compared to 16 percent for New york City and 10 percent for the remainder of the state. Gap elimination is a formula used by the state to equalize school district figures.
• Long Island residents use 20 percent more of their gross income to pay property tax as compared to the remainder of the state.
• Long Island is considered wealthy by the remainder of the state, but more than 50 percent of Suffolk students are enrolled in districts with below average wealth.
• Long Island educates 17 percent of state students but receives about 13 percent of available state aid.