Harckham Announces $1 Million in Senate Funding for the North Rockland Central School District

Garnerville, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham announced today that the North Rockland Central School District (NRCSD) is receiving $1 million from the Senate as part of a plan that provides additional funding for school districts experiencing significant financial hardships.

“My colleagues in the State Senate Majority and I recognize that the students and educators of the North Rockland Central School District should not be denied proper financial support and resources because of a tax certiorari settlement dating back to 2006,” said Sen. Harckham. “This Senate funding, in addition to the school aid given by the state to the North Rockland district, will ensure that instruction and programming remain at their optimal levels while protecting local taxpayers. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Senate Education Committee Chair Shelley Mayer deserve thanks for decisively acting on my request to help North Rockland.”

The Senate funding for NRCSD, which was adopted by resolution in June 2024, was part of an appropriation plan in the state’s FY2024-2025 budget supporting schools that are experiencing extraordinary changes in taxable property valuations or significant tax liabilities because of a tax certiorari settlement or judgment. 

“I am pleased to have helped secure the necessary funding for the North Rockland Central School District to help ease the financial hardship the district is facing,” said Sen. Mayer. “We owe it to each student in New York to ensure they have the academic and supportive programs they need to learn and grow. This funding allocation will help the North Rockland Central School District and its students thrive. I thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her leadership in ensuring this special funding was included in the final adopted budget, Senator Pete Harckham for his dedication to supporting all the school districts in his district, and Governor Kathy Hochul for supporting this effort.”

In the case of NRCSD, the funding will help draw down the debt from a 2006 tax certiorari settlement with Mirant Corp., the owner of two power plants in the district that were judged to have been overassessed in prior years. The funding secured by Harckham will help offer taxpayers relief from the Mirant debt crisis in North Rockland and the largest tax certiorari in New York State history.

In the state’s FY2024-2025 Budget, NRCSD received $116.3 million in Total Aid, a $2.2 million or 2% increase from the prior year’s budget, not including the $1 million in announced Senate funding.

North Rockland Central School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kris Felicello said, “This $1 million in Senate funding will go a long way in helping North Rockland pay down some of the annual debt service associated with the 2006 Mirant settlement. We appreciate the work of Senator Harckham in lessening the burden on our taxpayers.”

North Rockland Central School District Superintendent of Schools Kris Felicello, Ed. D. said, "We are grateful for the $1 million in funding from the New York State Senate, which will significantly aid North Rockland in reducing the annual debt service tied to the 2006 Mirant settlement. Our sincere thanks go to Senator Harckham for his efforts in alleviating some of the financial burden on our community's taxpayers." 

North Rockland Central School District Board of Education President Peggy Zugibe said, “The $1 million secured by the New York State Senate is a crucial step towards helping North Rockland manage the annual debt service from the 2006 Mirant settlement. We are thankful for the dedicated work of New York State Senator Pete Harckham in helping to ease the financial onus on our local taxpayers.”

North Rockland Teachers’ Association President Debbie Brennan said, “I extend my heartfelt thanks to Senator Harckham for his outstanding advocacy in securing an additional $1 million for the North Rockland Central School District to help pay off the Mirant debt and support our high-level educational programs. His efforts will greatly benefit our community and ensure a brighter future for our students. We are truly grateful for his continued support and leadership.”