White Plains, NY — Members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators have written to Hon. Kathy Hochul, urging the New York State Governor to immediately reinstate the Foundation Aid cuts proposed in the Executive Budget.

"As members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, we are writing to express our strong opposition to the proposed cuts to Foundation Aid funding in the Executive Budget. We stand united with school district leaders, parents, students, and a bipartisan group of state legislators who share our concerns. We respectfully request that you restore Hold Harmless and the current statutory inflationary factor for Foundation Aid."

"The proposed changes to the formula would result in a staggering $20 million reduction in funding across the 40 public school districts in Westchester County that receive Foundation Aid. These changes would include a 30% cut to Foundation Aid, or $1.5 million, for the Bedford Central School District; a 19% cut, or $682 thousand, for the Harrison Central School District; and a 9.7% cut, or $775 thousand, for the Mamaroneck Union Free School District. Students in our poorest cities would also experience these cuts: Yonkers would lose $3.9 million and Mt Vernon $2.9 million. Because of the Tax Cap, school districts across Westchester will be unable to replace this lost revenue."

The letter was signed by all 17 members of the Board. The full text of the letter can be read here.