School districts in Cattaraugus and Allegany counties would see an overall 3.18 percent increase in New York state aid, including a 1.66 percent increase in foundation aid, under Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposal.

There would be $329.42 million, including $211.82 million in foundation aid, given to the 24 school districts in the two-county area next school year, according to the preliminary projections included in the governor’s 2019 budget proposal released Tuesday.

Overall, Cuomo has proposed for all school aid in the state to increase 3.6 percent to $27.7 billion, including a 1.9 percent increase in foundation aid.

“Our children should benefit from world-class educational opportunities, which is why I was pleased that the Governor has proposed a nearly $1 billion increase for our schools, a 3.6 percent rise over last year,” said state Sen. Catharine Young, R-Olean, in a statement. “His commitment to give priority to the neediest districts is important for rural areas like ours.”

Cattaraugus County is projected to have a 2.85 percent increase in total aid to $203.29 million, including a 1.54 percent increase in foundation aid to $132.57 million.

While some districts will see large increases and a few will see decreases in total aid due to whether or not they have building projects this year, foundation aid will increase for all districts due to the state’s hold harmless provision.

The Ellicottville Central School District is projected to see the lowest increase, 0.25 percent.

The projections are used by districts to finalize their own budget proposals before the state budget is finalized, the deadline for which is April 1.

Total aid and total aid percentage increase (foundation aid and foundation aid percentage increase) in Cattaraugus County include:

(Contact reporter Tom Dinki at tdinki@oleantimesherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @tomdinki)