Bill > S08125

This bill updates the regional cost index (RCI) used in calculating total foundation aid for schools across New York State. The RCI is a measure that reflects labor market costs based on median salaries in professional occupations with similar credentials to education field positions. Specifically, the bill modifies the existing RCI values for different labor force regions, most notably increasing the Long Island/NYC region's index from 1.425 to 1.496. It also establishes a specific RCI of 1.351 for Westchester County starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The purpose of these changes is to better reflect the differences in living costs across various regions of New York, which can impact the expenses associated with hiring and maintaining educational staff. By adjusting these indices, the bill aims to ensure that school funding more accurately accounts for regional economic variations. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with a contingency clause that aligns its implementation with related legislative changes.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8125