Gov. Kathy Hochul was at the Enrico Fermi School in Yonkers Thursday to highlight the record amount of school aid included in this year's budget.

Hundreds of millions of dollars will be flowing into Westchester's largest school district as part of the state's commitment to better fund education.

The state is setting aside more than $31 billion in this year's state budget for New York’s schools. More than $360 million in this fiscal year will help students and teachers in Yonkers bounce back from the pandemic.

"Every penny is worth it; every penny is worth it," said Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The state budget for education is an increase of more than $2 billion from last year.

"They have a chance not just to survive, they have an opportunity to thrive," said Hochul.

The money adds 20,000 new spots for kids to attend preschool, supports mental health resources in the classroom and bolsters teacher recruitment and retention.

The money to Yonkers - Westchester's largest school district - comes as the district posted a 90% graduation rate - the highest number in decades.

"We changed the conversation from a deficiency model to a successful model," says Yonkers Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Quezada.

Funds will also go towards making schools greener by ensuring all new school buses on the road will be electric by 2035.

The state is also putting more money towards making SUNY education affordable, including expanding the tuition assistance program to part-time students.