The Jamestown Public Schools District is among the biggest winners in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal, with a 9.53% increase in foundation aid to schools included in the governor’s proposed 2025-26 budget.

Jamestown is scheduled for a $6,615,049 increase in foundation aid, with total aid increasing by $7.572,584 as the district is also budgeted for an increase in BOCES aid, high cost excess aid, private excess cost aid and transportation aid.

Dunkirk is due to receive a 5.27% foundation aid increase (1,768,244) though its total aid is going up 2.79% due to decreases in building aid and high cost, excess cost aid. Fredonia is also seeing a big increase in state aid, with foundation aid increasing 7.41% ($976,022) and total aid increasing $1,430,139 (7.93%) with increases in BOCES aid, high cost excess cost aid, private excess cost aid, and software, library and text aid.

Most smaller schools are starting the budget process with a 2% increase in foundation aid while larger schools are seeing larger foundation aid increases. Total aid, which includes cost-based aid, shows more fluctuation.

As a whole Chautauqua County schools will see a 5.31% increase in state foundation aid, the main source of aid for most school districts, from $246,268,826 to $259,339,722. The numbers may change when the state Legislature and Hochul eventually pass a budget because state lawmakers usually increase aid more than the governor’s budget proposal.

– Randolph will see a $214,995 increase in foundation aid, or a 2% increase. But a decrease in transportation aid means total state aid to the school district will actually come in at a .85% increase of 4130,221.

– Southwestern’s foundation aid is increasing 2% ($225,866) but the school will see a total state aid decrease of $329,582 (1.81%) due to a decrease in building aid.

– Frewsburg is scheduled to receive a 2% increase in foundation aid ($217,084) while total aid decreases .88% ($145,022) due to a decrease in building aid.

– Cassadaga Valley is projected to receive a 2% bump in foundation aid ($261,734) and a total aid increase of $604,184 (3.35%) due largely to an increase in building aid.

– Chautauqua Lake is due to receive a 2% increase in foundation aid ($96,033) and a 3.44% increase in total aid

– Pine Valley will see a 2% increase in foundation aid ($176,619), though its total aid increase is 1.65%

– Clymer will see a 2% ($88,240) increase in foundation aid while total aid increases 4.91% ($286,193) largely due to an increase in transportation aid.

– Bemus Point is scheduled for a 2% ($79,588) increase in foundation aid, with total aid going up .82%largely due to a decrease in universal pre-kindergarten aid.

– Falconer will receive a 4.25% increase in foundation aid totaling $704,501 while total aid is increasing 5.08% ($1,091,038).

– Silver Creek will receive a 2% increase in foundation aid($279,339) while its total aid will increase .87% ($180,089) largely due to a decrease in building aid.

– Forestville’s foundation aid is projected to increase 2% ($110,579) with total aid to decrease 3.15% (%268,493) largely due to a decrease in building aid.

– Panama joins the list of schools starting the budget process with a 2% ($143,206) increase in foundation aid, though the district will see a 1.42% decrease ($137,154) in total aid due to a decrease in building aid.

– Brocton is slated for a 5.9% increase in foundation aid totaling $544,688 while total state aid is projected to increase 4.97% ($695,250) largely due to a decrease in high cost excess cost aid.

– Ripley is budgeted for a 2% increase in foundation aid ($98,590) with total aid decreasing 2.16% ($161,667) largely due to a decrease in building aid.

– Sherman is to receive a 7.61% increase in foundation aid under Hochul’s budget proposal totaling $498,178 while total aid increases 4.26% ($366,447) due to decreases in building aid.

– Westfield Academy and Central School will see a 2% increase ($187,376) in foundation aid increasing 1.02% ($129,281) due largely to a decrease in BOCES aid.