FOUNDATION AID SPENDING PLAN

For 2023-24 School Year

Background

NYS Education Law requires each school district receiving a foundation aid increase of more than ten percent; or ten million dollars to develop a plan by school year of how such funds will be used to address student performance and need. The district will submit a formal plan online to the New York State Education Department (SED) in a form prescribed by the department. SED will post all collected plans on its website. The district will also post this summary on the district’s website.

The HCSD Foundation Aid Spending Plan was developed during the normal budget development process and allowed for public comment from parents, teachers, administrators, and other community stakeholders. The following enhancements which are included in the approved school budget were highlighted in the 2023-2024 Budget Newsletter:

DISTRICT ENHANCEMENTS

• Safety measures including upgrading security cameras and phone systems, providing emergency classroom lockdown supplies and instituting the L.E.A.D. education program by our School Resource Officers.
• Staffing and community resources to support Connected Community Schools, R4K, tutoring and increased itinerant services through BOCES – including an English as a New Language (ENL) teacher, a speech therapist and a school psychologist.
• Technology updates including additional computer equipment and one-to-one devices.
• Athletic improvements including a golf cart to transport handicapped spectators and livestreaming for sporting events (HUDL).
• Other – including a new school vehicle, maintenance truck and maintenance projects.

ELEMENTARY PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS

• Adding two academic intervention specialist (AIS) teachers, a full-time physical education teacher and a special education teacher.
• Additional speech improvement services (via BOCES).
• Sustaining smaller class sizes and small-group instruction.
• New technology class for upper elementary students.
• Enhancements to clubs including Drama Club and Steel Drums.

SECONDARY PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS

• Adding an academic support teacher, a special education teacher and a science teacher.
• Hiring an assistant principal at the Jr./Sr. High School.
• Sustaining enrichment opportunities, academic support services and social emotional supports.
• Maintaining and developing elective opportunities at the high school level including engineering, technology and agriculture.
• Sustaining high school opportunities including O-H-M BOCES Distance Learning and Project Lead the Way.