The Peru Gazette

The state Board of Regents will ask state lawmakers for a $2.1 billion increase in school funding next year, a figure members admit is on the high side but say was driven up by the growing number of needy students statewide. Meant to ensure equity across the districts by sending more funds to districts with high needs, the aid was frozen during the post-2008 recession and eventually cut to help the state make up a budget deficit. “While total state spending has been held to 2 percent annual growth and most state agency budgets have remained flat, school aid has increased by 27 percent over the last five years, proving that it’s already a funding priority,” said state Division of Budget spokesman Morris Peters. The Regents are requesting that the state instead transition to using “direct certification” data, which counts students who are automatically eligible for free lunch based on their participation in other programs such as Medicaid and food stamps.

Source: Board of Regents seeks $2.1 billion school aid boost – Times Union