Two LI School Districts Among Twelve to Share $9 Million in Grants

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Mineola and Three Village School Districts are among twelve districts statewide to be awarded competitive education grants for management efficiency by Gov. Cuomo.

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Mineola and Three Village School Districts are among twelve districts statewide to be awarded competitive education grants for management efficiency by Gov. Cuomo. The Governor, Friday, awarded the districts a total of $9,122,538 for finding ways to permanently cut costs, saving the State more than $9 million.

Cuomo is lauding the school districts for the cost-cutting measures they have taken, holding them out as examples he hopes other districts will follow to contain escalating costs that continue to grow every year.

“Our education system must become more efficient and direct spending away from the bureaucracy into the classroom,” said Cuomo. “The twelve districts we are awarding today stand out as leading examples and will serve as models for other districts across the state. I applaud their achievement.”

The one-time grants were designed to reward school districts across the State for finding ways to manage district affairs more cost effectively, while maintaining or improving the quality of education.

These districts found ways to cut costs without compromising the quality of services in areas such as transportation, maintenance staff and administrative support.

The Mineola Unified School District was awarded $639,387 over three years for identifying a total of $852,517 in eligible cost-savings. The district successfully consolidated central office administrative responsibilities and positions, reconfigured its district-wide grade structure, provided funding for student programs through the closing of two school buildings and reorganization of staff and identified unused space for lease.

The Three Village Central School District was awarded $747,789 over three years for identifying a total of $997,053 in eligible cost-savings. The district achieved greater efficiency in transportation by aligning bell schedules, reduced transportation costs by reorganizing bus routes and reduced its bus fleet from 65 active buses to 50.

Other school districts to share in the grant money were: Middletown City School District, Evans-Brant (Lake Shore) Central School District, Broadalbin-Perth Central School District, Rush-Henrietta Central School District, Williamsville Central School District, Cheektowaga Central School District, Mt. Vernon City School District, Schalmont Central School District, Schodack Central School District and the Unified School District of the Tarrytowns.

In all, the districts achieved a total of $9,972,778 in efficiency savings.

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