Payments and costs associated with charter schools in Albany continue to affect the city’s taxpayers.

The proposed budget includes $22.14 million for these payments and costs, an increase of $5.59 million or 33.77 percent over the current year budget. Under New York State Education law, the district must pay a per pupil amount for each student who attends charter schools, as well as provide services such as special education, transportation and health services.

This year marks the first year that the district will receive any state compensation for charter school costs. The state budget adopted in early April includes $2.5 million in “charter school transitional aid.”

Superintendent Eva Joseph said that the $2.5 million in charter school transition aid does not adequately compensate for the $22.14 million in overall charter school costs included in the proposed budget.

The district can achieve some cost efficiencies due to charter schools. However, fixed costs such as operating buildings cannot be eliminated, and staff costs cannot be reduced proportionately with the enrollment changes.

A budget defeat does not impact the amount the district must pay to charter schools next year.