Long Island schools score $270M state-aid boost -- but homeowners still drowning in some of highest property taxes in US
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Long Island schools are poised to receive more than $270 million in additional state aid for the coming year, marking a 5.4% increase from the previous year. However, despite this boost in funding, local homeowners on Long Island continue to struggle with some of the highest property taxes in the nation.

Albany’s new budget allocates a record $37 billion in school funding statewide.

The agreement also includes the provision of free school breakfast and lunch for all students, irrespective of their family income. Additionally, it introduces a ban on smartphones in classrooms statewide, commencing in the upcoming fall.


Gov. Kathy Hochul announces FY26 budget investments in distraction-free schools.
Long Island schools will receive over $270 million in extra state aid for 2026 — a 5.4% jump over last year. Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

According to the New York School Board Association, this increment in school aid is among the most substantial state-wide increases since the introduction of the Foundation Aid formula in 2007. The formula was devised to enhance the fair distribution of funds to disadvantaged school districts.

Nassau schools will be divvying up an extra $123 million — a 6% jump for the county — bringing the total amount of state funds to nearly $2.15 billion for next year.

Suffolk will see a roughly similar 5% increase with an extra nearly $150 million to bring their total state aid to more than $3 billion.

The vast majority of Long Island school districts — 108 out of 124 — are in line for a boost in state aid under Albany’s new budget.

While most of their increases are going to be relatively small, a handful of districts will see major gains, including Elmont and Deer Park with 13% jumps, as well as Hempstead and Middle Country at nearly 11% rises.

But because the budget was more than 30 days late in being passed, combined with state laws requiring districts to complete their budget proposals for next year by April 25, Long Island homeowners will not see a decrease in their property taxes, which rank among the highest in the nation, at least this year.


East Atlantic Beach in New York
The new Albany budget is allocating a record $37 billion in school funding across New York state. jrossphoto – stock.adobe.com

Property taxes in both counties have ballooned in the past decade despite state aid now covering a much larger share of Long Island’s school funding than it did a decade ago, rising roughly $2.5 billion from about 21% in 2015-16 to nearly 32% this school year, according to Newsday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul told homeowners in Long Island last week that relief was coming and was included in the budget — promising that roughly 80% of New Yorkers will see their taxes go down while also receiving inflation checks and tax credits for children.

“Your family is my fight,” Hochul told reporters outside of a Copiague home.

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