Funding public schools for the students they serve. In 2026, with all of you, AQE helped win a stronger school aid increase than the Governor initially proposed. We also helped win updates to the school funding formula so districts receive more funding to support students who are experiencing homelessness or are in foster care, along with more funding for English Language Learners. These changes move New York closer to a formula that reflects the needs of students in public schools today. The enacted budget also moved pre-K funding forward by raising rates and continuing investment in New York City’s 3-K program. School funding is a racial and economic justice issue. Students do not arrive at school with the same resources around them, and the state has a responsibility to account for the inequities students are living through. New York has fully funded Foundation Aid under the current formula, but that does not mean the formula fully reflects the growing needs of students today. There’s still more work to be done. The formula still needs further updates, including how the state accounts for the cost of running schools in different regions. Pre-K funding still needs a fairer structure that keeps pace with local costs and does more to support high-need districts and community-based programs. This summer, AQE organizers will be out tabling and talking with families. We’ll also be digging into where and why some school districts are facing cuts, despite overall funding increases, with more reporting on that coming later this summer. We’ll keep pushing elected officials to understand that fully funding an outdated formula cannot be the end of the conversation. Public schools should be funded around the needs of the students they serve, not around what Albany is willing to call enough. In solidarity, Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari Co-Executive Directors, Alliance for Quality Education Early bird registration is open for the Diapers to Diplomas: Reimagining the Continuum of Learning, Care and Opportunity conference on October 15 and 16 in New York City. Register today to secure your spot.

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Daily Digest: ‘Community-driven’: Ceramic drums delivered to Cohoes for next year’s celebration

Also: Officials unveil $6.4M Shepard Park Amphitheater completion in Lake George • Griffo, Santabarbara push to make daylight saving time permanent in NY

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Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone has a great week. Before you head out or enjoy that morning cup of iced coffee or tea, check out some of the top stories on our website. Be safe and enjoy the day. — Nicholas Buonanno, Regional Assistant Managing Editor e-edition                            obituaries ‘Community-driven’: Ceramic drums delivered to Cohoes for next year’s celebration Though it’s over a year away, the Spindle City is gearing up for its Cohoes America 250 celebration with a very special delivery. Read more → Officials unveil $6.4M Shepard Park Amphitheater completion in Lake George Officials recently announced the completion of the $6.4 million Shepard Park Amphitheater, a key project of the Town and Village of Lake George’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). Read more → Griffo, Santabarbara push to make daylight saving time permanent in NY Following the recent passage of the bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act by the U.S. House of Representatives, New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo and Assemblyman Angela Santabarbara expressed optimism that permanent daylight saving time could… Read more → AAA report: Average Albany gas prices up 8.5 cents from last week Average gasoline prices in Albany have risen 8.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $4.06/g on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 546 stations in Albany. Read more → Luke Skywalker’s ‘Empire Strikes Back’ lightsaber with severed hand attached auctioned for $3.75M Heritage Auctions sells iconic Hollywood props, including a Star Wars lightsaber. Read more → Road deaths have declined globally since 1990 except in poorer countries, study finds Global and U.S. road deaths are declining, though traffic crashes remain a concern. Read more →

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