Senator Jack Martins has announced that the 2014-15 state budget will deliver over $39.8 million in state education aid for students and taxpayers in the Westbury School District.
The Governor’s Executive Budget proposal had originally slated $35.56 million for the school district. In the past several weeks, district administrators, faculty, parents, students and community members rallied to fight for more aid, sending thousands of letters to local legislators urging them to fight on their behalf for more aid. Several school board members and Superintendent Dr. Mary Lagnado also went up to Albany to meet with Sen. Martins and explain the district’s unique need for additional funding, due to the explosive student population growth.
Their efforts were not in vain, as Sen. Martins was able to secure an additional $4.24 million for the district.
“Westbury is experiencing a tremendous growth in enrollment, and the school district needs additional resources so that it can provide these new students with a quality education. This investment will help the district meet its growing needs while helping to reduce the burden on local taxpayers,” said Sen. Martins.
“On behalf of the Westbury School District’s students, staff, and Board of Education, I would like to thank Senator Martins for working to secure this state aid increase. Our district’s student enrollment is growing tremendously, and this additional state funding will enable us to fill much needed teaching positions so that we can provide a quality education to all of our children. This will also keep our tax rate consistent with the tax cap levy calculation. This is great news for the students and families of our district,” said Lagnado.
