Dunkirk and Fredonia schools fared well in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2025-26 budget proposal, with both districts receiving more than the typical foundation aid increase.

Dunkirk is due to receive a 5.27% foundation aid increase (1,768,244) though its total aid is going up 2.79% due to decreases in building aid and high cost, excess cost aid. Fredonia is also seeing a big increase in state aid, with foundation aid increasing 7.41% ($976,022) and total aid increasing $1,430,139 (7.93%) with increases in BOCES aid, high cost excess cost aid, private excess cost aid, and software, library and text aid.

The Jamestown Public Schools District is among the biggest winners in Hochul’s budget proposal, with a 9.53% increase in foundation aid to schools included in the governor’s proposed 2025-26 budget. Jamestown is scheduled for a $6,615,049 increase in foundation aid, with total aid increasing by $7.572,584 as the district is also budgeted for an increase in BOCES aid, high cost excess aid, private excess cost aid and transportation aid.

Most smaller schools are starting the budget process with a 2% increase in foundation aid while larger schools are seeing larger foundation aid increases. Total aid, which includes cost-based aid, shows more fluctuation.

As a whole Chautauqua County schools will see a 5.31% increase in state foundation aid, the main source of aid for most school districts, from $246,268,826 to $259,339,722. The numbers may change when the state Legislature and Hochul eventually pass a budget because state lawmakers usually increase aid more than the governor’s budget proposal.

– Randolph will see a $214,995 increase in foundation aid, or a 2% increase. But a decrease in transportation aid means total state aid to the school district will actually come in at a .85% increase of 4130,221.

– Southwestern’s foundation aid is increasing 2% ($225,866) but the school will see a total state aid decrease of $329,582 (1.81%) due to a decrease in building aid.

– Frewsburg is scheduled to receive a 2% increase in foundation aid ($217,084) while total aid decreases .88% ($145,022) due to a decrease in building aid.

– Cassadaga Valley is projected to receive a 2% bump in foundation aid ($261,734) and a total aid increase of $604,184 (3.35%) due largely to an increase in building aid.

– Chautauqua Lake is due to receive a 2% increase in foundation aid ($96,033) and a 3.44% increase in total aid

– Pine Valley will see a 2% increase in foundation aid ($176,619), though its total aid increase is 1.65%

– Clymer will see a 2% ($88,240) increase in foundation aid while total aid increases 4.91% ($286,193) largely due to an increase in transportation aid.

– Bemus Point is scheduled for a 2% ($79,588) increase in foundation aid, with total aid going up .82%largely due to a decrease in universal pre-kindergarten aid.

– Falconer will receive a 4.25% increase in foundation aid totaling $704,501 while total aid is increasing 5.08% ($1,091,038).

– Silver Creek will receive a 2% increase in foundation aid($279,339) while its total aid will increase .87% ($180,089) largely due to a decrease in building aid.

– Forestville’s foundation aid is projected to increase 2% ($110,579) with total aid to decrease 3.15% (%268,493) largely due to a decrease in building aid.

– Panama joins the list of schools starting the budget process with a 2% ($143,206) increase in foundation aid, though the district will see a 1.42% decrease ($137,154) in total aid due to a decrease in building aid.

– Brocton is slated for a 5.9% increase in foundation aid totaling $544,688 while total state aid is projected to increase 4.97% ($695,250) largely due to a decrease in high cost excess cost aid.

– Ripley is budgeted for a 2% increase in foundation aid ($98,590) with total aid decreasing 2.16% ($161,667) largely due to a decrease in building aid.

– Sherman is to receive a 7.61% increase in foundation aid under Hochul’s budget proposal totaling $498,178 while total aid increases 4.26% ($366,447) due to decreases in building aid.

– Westfield Academy and Central School will see a 2% increase ($187,376) in foundation aid increasing 1.02% ($129,281) due largely to a decrease in BOCES aid.