CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — We have new developments in the situation regarding educational expenses for the children of asylum seeker families in the Maryvale School District. This relates to claims of a state lawmaker about education funding in the newly approved state budget..
Last summer as asylum seekers arrived here in Erie County we learned that under state and federal law the children from some of their families would have to be enrolled in the Maryvale School District.
Back then the costs were projected as roughly $400,000 dollars.. Apparently you can double that in an update according to Superintendent Joseph D'Angelo. "We are close to about 800,000 dollars that we've spent on the asylum seekers. That is inclusive of personnel, transportation."
D'Angelo also points out "New York City promised to reimburse us for costs related to asylum seekers which went from 100 percent down to 50 percent and we're fighting for 100 percent. But we have not received a penny from New York City."
We reached out to the Superintendent in response to a press release yesterday from State Assemblymenber Monica Wallace who told us an increase state education foundation quote far exceeded any costs incurred by the district to educate students seeking asylum. And in an interview she said "They received an increase of one point seven million dollars over last year's budget. And I think that in addition that they've already gotten $250 ,000 dollars from New York City in reimbursement. So they have been more than made whole by this and I'm very proud of that."
D'Angelo says inn response "We have not received a penny from New York City. The notion that foundation aid is meant to cover those costs - you know I don't agree with that. The foundation aid is meant to cover a district's basic operational costs. Things like increases to salary, health insurance, transportation, food service, retirement costs."
D'Angelo added "The asylum seekers have really enriched our district culturally and just being here. To us it's a separate issue - the funding - because they're here and we welcome them here as individuals. And as families. But they're here because of political choices that New York City made. And that is where the local taxpayer should not be affected."
D'Angelo says that the New York State Education Department and BOCES officials are still trying to work out a compensation agreement with New York City but so far there is no agreement