State aid as expected in NW

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, April 17, 2008

Niagara-Wheatfield Board of Education President Maureen Kaus’ budget wish earlier this month – “I hope the state does their part” – has come true.

According to Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte, the recently enacted state budget provides Niagara-Wheatfield with a 14.2 percent or $2.4 million increase in state Foundation Aid. The percentage increase is the highest in Niagara County.

Niagara-Wheatfield’s proposed 2008-09 $68 million budget is about $4 million higher than the current year, but officials are confident that it will not mean a tax increase.

A public hearing on the budget will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 7, at the high school’s Adult Learning Center.

Kerin Dumphrey, district business manager, said the state Foundation Aid was a little less than expected and the BOCES aid a little more, but the total amount of $33 million was almost identical to what was in the state’s executive budget proposal, on which the NW budget was built.

“I’m satisfied that they didn’t cut it. That’s the main thing I was afraid of,” he said.

Dumphrey explained that the reason Niagara-Wheatfield received the highest percentage increase in Foundation Aid is that its formula is based on student enrollment (NW’s is up), district wealth (NW’s is below average) and the regional cost index. Many of the other school districts in Niagara County have declining enrollments, he said.