Seward Announces $100,000 Grant For Little Falls School

LITTLE FALLS, 09/18/14 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today announced that a recently adopted senate resolution includes, at his insistence, $100,000 to assist the Little Falls City School District with budgetary needs. 

“Our schools are faced with growing financial demands while, at the same time, student needs are also on the rise,” said Senator Seward.  “I am pleased to partner with the Little Falls City School District in making certain that our students have the tools they need to succeed in the classroom and thrive when they leave.”

The legislative grant secured by Senator Seward is being used to help fill a funding gap created by a loss in state building aid due to a discrepancy in state aid payments.  

“There are times when the reality of a situation simply cannot be plugged into an aid formula, that is the case in Little Falls.  This grant will help meet student needs, and helps ease the property tax burden our businesses and homeowners are struggling to shoulder,” Seward added. 

Little Falls City School District Superintendent Louis Patrei said, “Our teachers and faculty work extremely hard to educate every student that walks through our doors.  Senator Seward recognizes the challenges we face as a small school district and has partnered with us consistently to help us confront and surpass those challenges.”  

“Ensuring our local schools receive their fair share of state aid is a leading priority of mine.  The aid dollars translate to opportunities for our students, and tax relief for local property owners.  When gaps in state funding exist, I have pressed for grants like this to level the playing field,” Seward concluded.

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Photo, from left: Senator Seward, Superintendent Louis Patrei, Board of Education President William Dodge, Business Manager Clete McLaughlin, Assistant Administrator Leeann Dooley