2019 New York State School Funding Transparency Form

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Districts’ Submissions

Overview

Beginning with the 2018-19 school year, Education Law §3614—which was passed by the Legislature and became law as Chapter 59 of the Laws of 2018—requires school districts to “annually submit to the commissioner [of the State Education Department] and the director of the budget … a detailed statement of the total funding allocation for each school in the district for the upcoming school budget year” in a “form developed by the director of the budget, in consultation with the commissioner [of the State Education Department].” The New York State School Funding Transparency Form is the outcome of this process.

Based on existing financial information that school districts already report to the State Education Department on a district-wide basis, the form seeks to capture school districts’ methodologies and/or rationales for school-level funding determinations, including funding from State, local, and federal sources. In addition, the form surveys school districts’ projected centralized district costs, school-level student and staff information, school-level allocations for various programs, and—if applicable—school-level allocations under any locally implemented funding formula.

Districts Required to Report

For 2019, all districts with four or more schools as reported in SED’s 2016-17 School Report Card database will be required to complete and submit the New York State School Funding Transparency Form to the Division of the Budget and State Education Department. A list of all 306 districts meeting these criteria can be found at the following link: 2019 Districts List (PDF).

Beginning in 2020, all 673 school districts receiving Foundation Aid will be required to submit the New York State School Funding Transparency Form annually to the Division of the Budget and State Education Department.

Submission Deadline

School districts are required to submit the New York State School Funding Transparency Form to the Division of the Budget and State Education Department prior to the first day of the school year. For 2019, the submission deadline is August 30 at 5:30 pm.

School Funding Transparency Application

Beginning in 2019, school districts will complete and submit their New York State School Funding Transparency Forms using the new online School Funding Transparency ApplicationLink to External Website. The new application will help streamline and improve the reporting and submission process for both districts and the State.

FAQ Document and Questions

Districts were invited to submit questions regarding the form, the submission timeline, the guidance document, the State’s review process, or any other aspect of Education Law §3614 to schooltransparency@budget.ny.gov by July 24, 2019 at 5:30 pm. Answers to districts’ frequently asked questions were prepared by the Division of the Budget and State Education Department and released to the public on August 7, 2019.

Additionally, districts may direct questions to schooltransparency@budget.ny.gov beyond July 24, 2019. The Division of the Budget and State Education Department will respond to these questions in a timely manner. For application-based assistance, Application Video Guides highlighting key aspects of the School Funding Transparency Application are also available.

Prior Year Submissions