Foundation aid

Riverhead school officials criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget last week for proposing changes to foundation aid, the primary source of state funding for public schools.

The “conceptual agreement with legislative leaders will allow both houses to begin adopting bills to implement the 2024 budget.

Foundation aid, which is determined based on a formula established by the state legislature factoring in wealth, cost of living and the regional economics, was enacted in 2007 in response to a court ruling that the state’s funding of public schools was inadequate and unconstitutional.

Riverhead administrators, teachers, staff, PTO leaders and parents spoke frankly to NYSUT officials about the real consequences of the district's foundation aid deficit.

State Sen. Ken LaValle and Assemblyman Fred Thiele say they've drafted legislation that would require an increase in foundation aid for districts, like Riverhead, funded at less than 55% of the foundation aid formula if they meet growth and need criteria.

The governor's budget proposal is still more than $23 million shy of what Riverhead is owed if state foundation aid is fully funded — 'nowhere near' the district's fair share, Superintendent Henriquez says.

Residents turned out in force today for a rally at the middle school, carrying colorful signs and chanting "fair share now!" to demand Riverhead get its fair share of state education aid.