Gov. Kathy Hochul is receiving fierce bipartisan blowback to her proposal to cut state-aid to certain school districts in the state budget.

"Her proposal around state aid to schools was short-sighted," State Sen. James Skoufis said during a press conference at Scotchtown Avenue Elementary School in Goshen Friday.

Skoufis, a Democrat, was joined by Republican Assemblyman Karl Brabenec and superintendents of six local school districts, all who are fighting the governor's proposed cuts.

In her draft budget, Gov. Hochul is seeking to cancel a provision that guarantees that each year schools never receive less state aid than they did the year before.

It is known as the "Hold Harmless" provision.

The governor is proposing cuts to state aid for nearly half of the state's school districts based on several factors including enrollment.

State aid, officially called foundation aid, is most districts' second biggest funding source behind property tax revenue.

"Over our dead bodies will we allow the governor's proposal to wind up in the final budget," Skoufis said.

If the funding changes stick, some districts could be forced to cut programs and/or staff, especially now that they are no longer receiving federal pandemic aid.

The state Assembly and Senate released their own draft budgets that keep the school funding formula as it is, cut other state programs, increase taxes for the state's wealthiest residents, and draw on reserves.

Goshen business owner Navile Vargas, who has a daughter in kindergarten, told News 12 the governor's draft budget shows a change in priorities.

"These kids are being treated as [if] they're not important at all," Vargas, owner of Sweet Tymes in Goshen, said. "I feel like they're the most important. They're the things [sic] we should first look at."

Tuxedo Schools, for example, are facing a 40% cut in state aid, amounting to around $300,000.

Superintendent Jeff White said the district would have to make up for that cut.

"It could impact staffing," he said in an interview after the press conference. "It could impact courses that we're offering ... CTEC an all sorts of different options we have for the students."

The state budget is supposed to be finalized by April 1, though an extension is possible.

School districts must have their budgets completed by early May.

Skoufis said negotiations with the governor's office are going well.

State officials said they are negotiating fairly.

“Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget makes record-setting investments in New York’s future while ensuring the state remains on a stable long-term fiscal trajectory," said Tim Ruffinen, budget division spokesperson, in an email, "and she will work with the Legislature to craft a final budget that achieves these goals.”