The 2021-2022 enacted state budget included language stating that, for the 2021-22, 2022- 23 and 2023-24 school years, each school district receiving a foundation aid increase of more than 10% or $10,000,000 a school year must post a plan of how the funds will be used to address student performance and needs, including, but not limited to:
- Increasing graduation rates and eliminating the achievement gap
- Reducing class size
- Providing supports for students who are not meeting, or who are at risk of not meeting, state learning standards in core academic subject areas
- Addressing student social-emotional health
- Providing adequate resources to English Language Learners, students with disabilities, and students experiencing homelessness
For the 2023-24 school year, the Cohoes City School District is expected to receive a foundation aid increase of 26%, or $5.3MM.
Stakeholder Planning Process and Community Engagement Efforts
The budget planning process begins when district school budget stakeholder groups – including building leaders and program directors, teacher leaders and building leadership teams – submit a comprehensive needs assessment based on stakeholder input. The needs assessments and subsequent proposals are then presented to the district’s budget committee. The budget committee conducts a review of the return on investment analysis and makes recommendations to the Board of Education for the 2023-2024 budget.
Planning for the increased foundation aid was included in this process. Budget presentations contain extensive information about spending priorities, new initiatives, and steps the district has taken to balance the budget and best utilize the increase in resources from New York state.
Public Comments
The district did not receive any public comments at the May 3, 2023, budget hearing nor were any public comments received during previous budget presentations. The Foundation Aid Funding Plan is posted on the district’s website and public comments are welcomed.
If you would like to submit comments regarding the Foundation Aid Funding Plan, please email the District Communications Office at communications@cohoes.org.
CCSD Foundation Aid Funding Plan
The Foundation Aid Funding plan addresses each of the following areas:
- Increasing graduation rates and eliminating the achievement gap
- Reducing class size
- Providing support for students who are not meeting, or who are at risk of not meeting, state learning standards in core academic subject areas
- Addressing student social-emotional health
- Providing adequate resources to English language learners, students with disabilities, and students experiencing homelessness
- Goals and ratios for pupil support
- Detailed summaries of investments in current year initiatives spent in priority areas
Cohoes will expend the funds as detailed below. View/download a printer-friendly version of the Foundation Aid Plan Summary.
If you are unable to access this information, please contact Mary Rumsey the district clerk at 518- 237-0100, ext. 2350.