CNY school district shares thoughts on Gov. Hochul's delayed budget

Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2025 fiscal year budget has still not passed.

Two weeks after its original due date, she and state leaders have come to an agreement in principle that will cost 237 billion dollars.

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However, school districts need a decision sooner rather than later.

Central Square School District superintendent Tom Colabufo said,

There is always a sense of frustration and uncertainty of not knowing exactly what the budget is going to be.

Colabufo said his district planned well and isn't expecting to make many changes to their upcoming school year budget, but the late budget could raise alarms for smaller districts that already don't have a lot of allocated funds.

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“It's very difficult because in any school district, you have programming, you have all those things that directly impact students and learning,” said Colabufo. “So, the longer the budget is delayed -- and I'm not putting this on the governor, I understand there are so many factors involved in this -- but the longer for something like that to go on it makes it very difficult for planning for the next school year.”

Syracuse Common Councilor Pat Hogan says the delayed budget doesn't shock him – last year’s budget was late as well but he is not excusing the state lawmakers.

“It's important for us to know these figures and for us to assert what we need to do to support our city school districts.”

Colabufo said another reason why a final vote needs to happen is that school budget votes are coming up in May.

"The longer that goes out there, you're essentially asking the voters to vote for something without having really great details or time to digest it."