By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
The $268 billion New York State budget contains a $15.1 million boost in aid to public schools in Cattaraugus and Allegany counties to $432.2 million.
The breakdown is $275.4 million for the 12 Cattaraugus County school districts — an increase of $8.3 million in the 2025-26 state budget — and $156.8 million for Allegany County schools, a $6.7 million increase.
Among Cattaraugus County school districts, West Valley received the largest percentage in aid over 2025-26 with an 11.4% hike in total aid, or $5.9 million.
The lowest percentage change in total aid was minus 1% in Ellicottville or $54,168 to $5.3 million.
Cattaraugus County school districts shared $5.3 million in increased foundation aid, with 1% the minimum
The Olean City School District received a 6.1 percent increase in foundation aid to $1.7 million.
Olean will also receive $7,020 for each 4-year-old pre-K student in 2025-26 and $12,971 in 2026-27.
Other districts with jumps in foundation aid include Franklinville, 9.2%; Salamanca, 5.2% and Gowanda, 1.9%.
In Allegany County, schools will share a $4 million increase in foundation aid, which went from $101.9 million to $105.9 million. Many schools received 1% increases. Friendship got an 11.3% increase, Genesee Valley, 9.1%; Canaseraga, 6.5%; Scio, 6.4%; Bolivar-Richburg, 6% and Wellsville, 5.6%.
Cattaraugus County school districts total state aid and per cent change from 2025-26 are:
Allegany-Limestone — $21.3 million, 0.90%.
Cattaraugus-Little Valley — $24.6 million, 4.7%.
Ellicottville — $5.3 million, -0.1%.
Franklinville — $17.6 million, 6.1%.
Gowanda — $28.3 million, 2.6%.
Hinsdale — $8.9 million, 3.7%.
Olean — $41.9 million, 2.5%.
Pioneer — $50.5 million, 1.7%.
Portville — $18.5 million, 1.8%.
Randolph — $15.9 million, 0.4%.
Salamanca — $35.8 million, 6.2%.
All Allegany County school districts got an increase in total aid:
Alfred-Almond — $11.4 million, 1.5%.
Andover — $6.9 million, 3.5%.
Belfast — $9.6 million, 2.6%.
Bolivar-Richburg — $19.2 million, 0.2%.
Canaseraga — $5.8 million, 6.5%.
Cuba-Rushford — $17.1 million, 2.7%.
Fillmore — $16.6 million, 2%.
Friendship — $9.2 million, 12.1%.
Genesee Valley — $16 million, 9.1%.
Scio — $9.2 million, 6.8%.
Wellsville — $30 million, 5.6%.
Whitesville — $5.2 million, 4.3%.
(For a more comprehensive look at school districts’ state aid: www.budget.ny.gov/pubs/archive/fy27/ex/local/school/2627schoolruns.pdf)
