Agudah Welcomes News of Release of CAP Funds

Yeshivos and other non-public schools are welcoming “the news that this week, the New York State Education Department will begin releasing the balance of the $125 million for this year’s payment of outstanding mandated services/Comprehensive Attendance Program (CAP) reimbursement,” according to a press release from Agudath Israel of America.

The CAP program reimburses private schools for certain school functions that are mandated by the government, such as the reporting of attendance, keeping immunization records, and testing on certain subjects.

For years, the state has failed to make these payments, which, according to the Agudah statement, has been “due to budget shortfalls and the use of a flawed formula to calculate the actual CAP reimbursement.” After a long-running battle, the state finally agreed in June 2015 to an appropriation of $250 million to pay down the money owed to private schools. The money now being released is the first of two $125 million installments. Agudah says that the next installment is expected to be paid over the next few weeks.

Mrs. Deborah Zachai, Director of Education Affairs for Agudath Israel of America, said, “We are thrilled that the yeshivos will soon be receiving the second installment of outstanding CAP claims. We anticipate that this should bring in $20 million to yeshivos across the state, an infusion of much-needed cash and long-awaited funds.”