SYRACUSE, NY (NCC News) — The Syracuse City School District has been underfunded for decades. New York State is supposed to provide a certain amount of money in aid each year to alleviate this problem, but has failed to do so since 2007. Most recently, for the 2021-22 school year, the state paid the district $305 million of the $335 million it was promised, according to the chief financial officer Suzanne Slack.
New York Assemblymember Bill Magnarelli (D-129th District) said he has been committed to gathering funding for city school renovations since he served on the Common Council in 1995. He sponsored the bill for the Joint School Construction Board in 2006. Now, $300 million has been pledged as a part of phase III.
Magnarelli said that he is confident the state will pay for upwards of 90% of the school renovations. The rest will be paid for with taxes.
“The bottom line is they’re committed to this,” Magnarelli said in a press conference Wednesday. “We’ve had 15 years of two phases. Money is coming in and being paid and these things are getting done.”
The plan calls for the renovation of 10 schools in the district. Lincoln Middle School will be receiving the most aid, $40 million. Renovations include upgraded technology and white boards, roof replacements, gymnasium upgrades and more.
“They’re healthier buildings,” Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, speaking of the renovated schools. “They help keep our kids healthier and ultimately help them to learn better.”
Due to poverty, children often change schools as families move around the city, seeking better housing. In past years the board had to cut teachers, staff, and programs to balance its budget and from 2008 to 2011 it closed four schools.
With the recent settlement of two lawsuits about unequal funding and a pledge by Governor Kathy Hochul to pay the full foundation aid, the district is in a better financial position now, according to Slack.
