Senator Weber hosted a public forum on Foundation Aid Funding, providing an opportunity for Rockland educators and community members to voice their concerns. The event, held on Monday, July 29, at 6:00 p.m. at Rockland Community College’s Cultural Arts Center, was a key moment for local stakeholders to engage with the Foundation Aid Hearings conducted by the Rockefeller Institute of Government.
Organized in response to last year’s New York State Budget, which mandated a study to address shortcomings in the current foundation aid formula, the forum became essential as none of the five Rockefeller Institute’s statewide hearings were scheduled for the Lower Hudson Valley. Senator Weber’s initiative filled this gap with a bipartisan forum.
Superintendents from Rockland County and beyond attended the forum, highlighting its broad impact. Those who could not attend were invited to send faculty and school board members in their place.
The event featured a panel of experts who offered brief remarks on the issues with the foundation aid formula from their perspectives. After the panel’s presentations, the audience was invited to ask questions and share their comments, lining up behind microphones on either side of the theater.
Senator Weber expressed gratitude for the participation, stating, “Thank you to Congressman Mike Lawler, a representative from Senator Pete Harckham’s office, Assemblymen Karl Brabenec and Christopher W. Eachus, school superintendents from Rockland County and beyond, along with members of the public for participating in our forum last night. My office was honored to organize this bipartisan event and will forward the testimony to the Rockefeller Institute, which is tasked with reviewing and making recommendations on the flawed foundation aid formula. My colleagues and I are committed to finding solutions and appreciate the spirited discussion.”
Joel Petlin, Superintendent of the Kiryas Joel School District, added on X, “I was pleased to present my thoughts on the changes needed to fix the Foundation Aid formula to help NY school districts. Kudos to @NYSenatorWeber for hosting the event, joined by @RepMikeLawler @KarlBrabenec @EachusAD99 and many of the dedicated school superintendents, board members & taxpayers in the Hudson Valley region. Fair funding is an investment in the future. Support public education.”
I was pleased to present my thoughts on the changes needed to fix the Foundation Aid formula to help NY school districts.
Kudos to @NYSenatorWeber for hosting the event, joined by @RepMikeLawler @KarlBrabenec @EachusAD99 and many of the dedicated school superintendents, board… pic.twitter.com/gOomvaoCGM
— Joel M. Petlin (@Joelmpetlin) July 30, 2024
Community activist Rivkie Feiner also voiced her appreciation on X, stating, “Very much appreciated the opportunity to have our voices heard. Thanks @NYSenatorWeber for hosting this bipartisan foundation aid public forum. It’s time to fix the formula NOW & to recognize East Ramapo’s uniqueness—76% nonpublic students & 24% public students. #FixFoundationAid.”
Very much appreciated the opportunity to have our voices heard. Thanks @NYSenatorWeber for hosting this bipartisan foundation aid public forum. It’s time to fix the formula NOW & to recognize East Ramapo’s uniqueness 76% nonpublic students & 24% public students.#FixFoundationAid pic.twitter.com/GyqzJrtLpv
— Rivkie Feiner (@FeinerRivkie) July 30, 2024
Senator Weber’s team collected all written comments and questions from the forum and will submit them to the Rockefeller Institute.
For more details and to submit written comments, visit https://rockinst.org/foundation-aid-study/
