Cootamundra Public School is set to receive the biggest boost, an increase of $123,833 on their 2016 funding while Cootamundra High School will receive an extra $105,277 and EA Southee an additional $80,292. 

The funding boost pushes Cootamundra High School’s total budget for 2017 over the half million dollar mark while EA Southee and Cootamundra Public both top out at over $300,000.

Principal of Cootamundra High School Neil Reaper is ecstatic with the extra funding, saying it is vital to the school’s operation.

“This money is exceptionally important.

“It provides opportunities to extend our curriculum, to run special programs, to increase training and development for staff and it’s all aimed at improving our student outcomes,” Mr Reaper said. 

His excitement was shared by another local principal who wished to remain anonymous.

“It’s a welcome boost and the NSW government’s commitment to Gonski will ensure that there is equity for all students on a needs basis across NSW,” the principal said. 

The Gonski reforms use a Resource Allocation Model (RAM) to allocate funds on a needs-basis.

The RAM provides each school a base allocation to cover operational costs then hands out extra funding based on socio-economic status of students, aboriginal student population and disabled student numbers among other factors. 

Gonski funding has cost taxpayers $504 million since 2014, but in Mr Reaper’s eyes that cost is nothing compared to the benefits it gives his students. 

“We could not provide the curriculum options and programs that we do without it.

“It allows our students to achieve their potential,” he said.