Tedisco Announces New $50,000 in Bullet Aid for Schenectady Schools

As children head back to school, Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C,I,REF-Glenville) today announced a new $50,000 state Bullet Aid grant he secured for the Schenectady City School District.

This grant is on top of the $15.4 million state aid increase and the $7.5 million Foundation Aid increase Tedisco was successful in advocating for in this year’s New York State Budget.  This state aid will help add new programs and deliver a 2 percent cut on the school tax levy for residents.

The Schenectady City School District plans on using the bullet aid funding toward staff training to help identify children dealing with trauma and help them deal with the emotions that are negatively impacting their educational experiences and well-being.

“All of our schools including Schenectady deserve fair funding to provide our children with the kind of education they need and deserve. As a former teacher, guidance counselor, athletic director and coach, I’m proud to have been a driving force in the state Senate this year for a state budget substantially increased funding to the Schenectady School District by over $15 million and I’m going to continue to fight to fully fund Schenectady and all of our schools,” said Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C,I,REF-Glenville).

“On behalf of the Schenectady City School District, I wish to thank Senator Tedisco for his ongoing support and, most recently, the bullet aid he has garnered for our district. This funding provides a much needed boost to the work and support of our Trauma Sensitive Schools initiative and toward addressing the intense social emotional needs of struggling students. We remain extremely grateful to Senator Tedisco for his leadership in the Senate, partnership with the Schenectady community and continued advocacy on behalf of the students in Schenectady,” said Larry Spring, Superintendent of the Schenectady City School District.

“As a former educator, I know that what’s going on in the brick and mortar of our school buildings is significantly impacted by the socio-economic environment of the homes and communities where children live.  If children are dealing with the effects of joblessness, addiction, abuse, neglect, hunger, and homelessness when they are not at school, then they bring an enormous amount of emotional baggage with them into the classroom that can stifle their ability to learn and grow.  Hopefully, this state bullet aid will help the Schenectady City School District better identify children who are experiencing trauma so they can get the help they need and deserve,” said Tedisco.