Assemblyman Ton Alfano, vice-chairman of the Assembly Joint Conference Committee, commented about the state budget's plan for education as just the beginning of the process. "It's like a baseball game in the first inning when the governor was at bat and the legislature was fielding. Now its our turn at bat."

Under Governor Pataki's school aid recommendations, all school districts will receive an operating aid increase of at least 1.25 percent, with increases of up to three percent provided to districts experiencing enrollment growth. An operating aid increase of $124 million is provided for this purpose in the 1999-2000 school year.

"The good news in the Governor's budget is that it provides record levels of State support for school facilities to ensure healthy, safe learning environments for our children," Alfano stated. For the 1999-2000 school year, building aid will incrase by $120 million, or 14 percent, to a total of $970 million.

Alfano commented on the school aid outlays for 22nd District schools noting "in most cases we were well above the state average. When you look around the rest of the state, we in the 22nd district made out well."

The following are the aid breakdowns:

Percent Change in Total Growth:
School District	Percentage Change
Valley Stream 13	+ 11.24%
Elmont UFSD	+ 4.17%
Franklin Square	+ 4.65%
Malverne	+ 0.22%
West Hempstead	+ 1.41%
Valley Stream UF	+ 8.10%
Valley Stream CHS	+ 5.66%
Sewanhaka	+ 3.47%

The Legislature will now be looking at the budget in the conference committee structure. The conference committees will be making recommendations to the legislature on spending and final budgetary outlays in state budget. "I will be strongly advocating additional funding for our schools," said Alfano noting "our schools offer very strong curriculums and programs for our children." "We have to support those efforts," Alfano stated.

Alfano also outlined his priorities for education this legislative session. As vice-chairman of the Joint Conference Committee, Alfano will be advancing his 4-point plan for education in the weeks and months ahead. Alfano would like to use a fraction of the state's surplus not only for advancing income and property tax cuts but investing in schools. Alfano's plan calls for the following four points:

1. Fixing School Buildings;

2. Smaller Class Sizes;

3. Support Higher Standards;

4. Assisting Teachers with teaching centers, continuing education and support services.

"Fixing our buildings, smaller class sizes, higher standards and giving teachers the support they need are critical to the success of our children getting a quality education," Alfano stated.

Overall, Nassau County schools will see an increase in school aid of well over $16,761,000.