Senator Craig Johnson announces a more than $460,000 funding increase for the Elmont Union Free School District - which includes Stewart Manor School - in the 2008-09 budget.

Under this budget, which recently passed, the district will receive $21.65 million in overall state funding - $463,919 more from the previous administration's proposed, 2008-09 spending plan. The total funding is a 13 percent increase from last year's budget.

The final budget also includes an infusion of nearly $1.1 million in high tax aid, which are funds specifically earmarked to offset property taxes for residents living within the Elmont School District. This is a 36.75 percent increase from the proposed executive budget.

"This education budget repaired what would have been a disastrous plan for our schools, our children and - ultimately - all taxpayers," Senator Johnson said. "With this current economic climate, there was a fight for every last dollar. Despite these hardships, we were able to come up with a budget that places an emphasis on education and spares our children from bearing the brunt of this looming financial crisis."

Senator Johnson met with the governor's administration officials many times during the budget process to personally lobby for more state aid for schools in the 7th Senate District. Since winning a special election in February 2007, Senator Johnson has secured more than $41 million in additional state aid for schools within the communities that he represents.

"In the short time Governor David Paterson has been in his current office, he and his staff have shown an understanding of Long Island and Long Island issues, as well as a willingness to partner with us during budget negotiations," Senator Johnson said. "I look forward to continue to work with this administration on matters that affect my constituents."