Dear Pearl River Parents and Community, 

State Aid plays a critical role in supporting the Pearl River School District’s budget, accounting for 20% of our total revenue. A key factor in how that aid is calculated is New York State’s Regional Cost Index (RCI). The RCI serves as a multiplier within State Aid formulas, primarily Foundation Aid and Building Aid, to increase funding for school districts located in high-cost areas such as New York City, Long Island and Westchester. The RCI adjusts for regional differences in labor costs, ensuring that districts with higher expenses can provide a similar level of education as lower-cost areas. Districts in higher-cost regions, including Rockland County and Pearl River in particular, face comparable cost pressures including high property taxes, elevated home values, rising insurance and transportation costs, as well as increased school-related expenditures. Rockland County’s RCI has not been adjusted to reflect these realities, resulting in State Aid levels that do not align with the true cost of educating students in our community.

To ensure equity in state funding, the County’s RCI should be increased to at least the same level as Westchester County (1.351), beginning in the 2026-27 school year. This adjustment would generate $5.4 million total for Rockland County school districts, including $350,000 for Pearl River. Ultimately, Rockland County’s RCI should align with that of New York City and Long Island (1.425) given our comparable, and sometimes higher, cost of living factors. 

We encourage you to lend your voice to this important advocacy effort by contacting your local legislatures and urging them to support a fair and adjusted RCI for Rockland County. A model advocacy letter template is available for your convenience. We invite you to send it to state legislatures listed below:

Governor Kathy Hochul
Email: governor.hochul@exec.ny.gov
Phone: 518-474-8390

Senator Bill Weber
Email: weber@nysenate.gov
Phone: 518-455-2991