The state’s 2023-24 budget is set to invest heavily and public education, and two Hudson Valley school districts will be huge beneficiaries.

The Peekskill and Ossining School districts will receive $51 and $37 million in foundation aid, state Sen. Pete Harckham and Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg announced on Thursday.

"Today we are here to celebrate a milestone in the fight for educational equity,” said Harckham.

According to Peekskill Schools Superintendent Dr. David Mauricio, foundation aid is based on looking at a student population and community and providing equitable funding to close the opportunity gap, which then helps close the achievement gap.

“We are providing social emotional learning supports for our students, literacy development, support for our newcomers,” added Mauricio. “We welcome students from other communities and countries, but they need support."

"That’s a lot of money and it’s really needed here,” said Levenberg. “It’s going to be put right back into the classrooms."

In addition to the investment, $135 million for school meal programs at both Peekskill and Ossining will be fully funded.