Senator Oberacker Bill to Assist Oneonta School Advances

ALBANY, 01/20/21 -- State Senator Peter Oberacker (R/C – Schenevus) today announced legislation (S.396) he sponsors to assist the Oneonta City School District was unanimously approved by the Senate Education Committee.  The bill corrects a clerical error and preserves $400,000 in state transportation aid due to the school district.

Senator Peter Oberacker said, "This is the first bill I have introduced as a state senator and it embodies one of my main priorities – to assist our local schools and municipalities when they are in need.  Without this piece of legislation, the Oneonta City School District would be facing a $400,000 hit on their budget that would be devastating for the school, local taxpayers, and most importantly our students.” 

Senator Oberacker’s legislation would correct an oversight in the application process for the district's transportation aid for the 2019-2020 school year, when the district did not file its application for transportation aid to the state education department in a timely fashion.

“The Oneonta City School District has a strong track record when it comes to contractual submissions and required paperwork.  This inadvertent oversight involving one item should not lead to an overwhelming penalty that would significantly harm student programming and services,” Senator Oberacker added.

The legislation will now go to the Senate Finance Committee and then to the full Senate for approval.   Assemblyman John Salka is introducing companion legislation in the assembly.

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