How does NYSED determine the dollar amount that C4E districts must use for new or expanded programs?
The amount of Foundation Aid that is restricted for new or expanded allowable programs is the district’s Foundation Aid increase over the prior year less an inflationary adjustment, increased payments to charter schools, and a flexible percentage allowed for maintenance of existing programs. The law also includes an amount allowed for experimental programs if approved by the Commissioner. In addition, each existing C4E district must maintain 100 percent of the amount approved by the Commissioner in the base year. However, districts are allowed to redesign programs by decreasing allotments to 2007-08 C4E programs, provided they make additional equivalent allotments of Foundation Aid under the current year Contract. In other words, if a district chooses to reduce any of the base year program expenditures in the current year, they must add an equivalent amount of unrestricted funds to the current year Contract and must allocate that additional amount to other new or expanded allowable pro
