Oceanside, Island Park schools to receive increase in state aid

The Oceanside School District and Island Park Public Schools will receive an increase in state aid for the 2021-22 budget.

Oceanside will garner $25 million, while Island Park will net $3.2 million.

The funding marks an increase of $3.1 million, or 14.2 percent, from last year for Oceanside, and includes $637,200 to create 118 full-day pre-K slots for new students. Island Park will receive an increase of more than $266,000, or 8.9 percent, from last year, and will also compete with other school districts across the state for $5 million allocated for districts facing financial hardship created by an extraordinary change in the taxable property valuation or a significant shift in tax liability due to a tax certiorari settlement or judgment.

The increase comes as part of a $3 billion uptick in school aid statewide from last year and is part of the state’s 2021-22 budget.

State Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Democrat from Long Beach, and Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, a Democrat from Rockville Centre, announced the aid.

“Providing a high-quality education for our children is my top priority, and strengthening the school district is integral to ensuring that Oceanside remains a wonderful place to live and raise a family,” Kaminsky said, according to a news release. “I am proud to have helped secure more funding for Oceanside schools so that our students — and now those at the pre-K level — can get the first-rate education they deserve. Importantly, the more money we secure from Albany, the less local taxpayers are called on to shoulder the financial burden.”

Griffin said she was happy that the funding was acquired.

“Our schools are vital for our youth and providing the necessary resources for Oceanside students to succeed and thrive is a priority of mine,” she said, according to a news release. “I was pleased to secure these essential resources for the Oceanside School District.”