Ceretto secures extra funding for Niagara-Wheatfield School District

Assemblyman John Ceretto, D-Lewiston, has secured an additional $100,000 in discretionary funding for the Niagara-Wheatfield School District. Ceretto presented a check Tuesday evening at a Niagara-Wheatfield School Board meeting.

The aid, which will be used to preserve programs, is on top of an $890,000 increase in school aid for the district, which Ceretto helped secure in this year's state budget.

"This new funding will enhance learning opportunities for our children while lessening the burden on taxpayers," Ceretto said.

"On behalf of the Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District, I would like to offer my sincere appreciation to Assemblyman Ceretto for securing an additional $100,000 in aid for our district. We will utilize the funding to improve the educational experience for the Niagara-Wheatfield school community," Superintendent Daniel G. Ljiljanich said.

Ceretto, a former teacher and father of two educators, said he has seen the effects of underfunding firsthand and understands the need to invest in schools so that every child has access to a quality education. Earlier this year, he voted for a state budget that increases school funding, ends the Gap Elimination Adjustment, provides crucial support for pre-K programs and freezes tuition at SUNY schools for the upcoming year.