The Watervliet City School District’s State Foundation Aid Funding Plan can be found below. You can also download a printer-friendly version of the Foundation Aid Funding Plan.
Introduction
The 2021-2022 enacted state budget includes 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 need, 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; and
- Providing adequate resources to English language learners, students with disabilities, and students experiencing homelessness.
- Goals and ratios for pupil support.
- Investments in current year initiatives and balance funds spent in priority areas.
For the 2022-23 school year, the Watervliet City School District received a foundation aid increase of 16% or $2,736,457.
Planning Process and Community Engagement Efforts
The district has engaged in a strategic budget planning process for the 2022-23 budget year, first soliciting feedback from all district stakeholders during three budget workshops and then using that information to craft a balanced school budget. View the 2022-23 School Budget Newsletter
Additionally, the goals that we strive to achieve as a district are incorporated within the annual budget development process. View the district’s shared beliefs The budget presentations contain extensive information about spending priorities, new initiatives, and what steps the district has taken to balance the budget, and best utilize the increase in resources from New York State. View the 2022-23 School Budget Presentations
Public Comments
The district did not receive any public comments at the May 10, 2022 budget hearing. 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 Business Manager at kheid5@vlietschools.org.
Increasing graduation rates and eliminating the achievement gap
Plan Summary:
- Restore 3.0 FTE teachers; Art, Physical Education, Social Studies, $249,000
- Restore library aide position, $40,000
Reducing class size
Plan Summary:
- 2.0 FTE Long Term Substitutes, $166,000
Providing supports for students who are not meeting, or who are at risk of not meeting, state learning standards in core academic subject areas
Plan Summary:
- One-to-one device use for all students & staff, $79,000
- Upgrade classroom technology with 4k monitors , $37,000
- Increase BOCES instructional coaching from 2 to 3 days per week , $29,000
- Pilot new Mathematics resource for K-8, $27,000
Addressing student social-emotional health
Plan Summary:
- School Psychologist or Social Worker, $83,000
- Create & Restore Programs – Bowling, Girls Wrestling, & eSports Teams, $67,000
Providing adequate resources to English language learners, students with disabilities, and students experiencing homelessness
Plan Summary:
- Homeless Student tuition costs, $50,000
- ENL Teacher, $83,000
- Increase SPED transportation cost (Estimated – Expected to bid), $500,000
- Charter School tuition costs, $32,000
Goals and ratios for pupil support
Plan Summary:
- Increase BOCES Shared Communication Service, $40,000
- Increase building security with visitor checkpoints, $5,000
Detailed summaries of investments in current year initiatives and balance funds spent in priority areas
Plan Summary:
- Increased Debt Service Cost, $800,000
- Increase Energy costs (Electricity, Natural Gas, Fuel), $70,000
- Anticipated negotiation of WSSA Contract, $198,000
- Transportation Cost increase – new 5-year lease on 3 district buses, $73,500