Otsego County schools have received $335,000 in state grants to help offset losses from the state's baseline budget, Sen. James L. Seward announced at a press conference at Cooperstown High School on Monday.

"The money helps school districts where the state formula was thin from the baseline budget or the district had special needs, particularly with regard to losses in BOCES aid or aid for educating handicapped students," Seward, R-Milford, said in a press release.

Cooperstown and Cherry Valley-Springfield central schools each received $40,000 and will use the funds to offset loss of Board of Cooperative Educational Services aid.

"We're very appreciative that Senator Seward was able to obtain funding for our district," said Cherry Valley-Springfield Superintendent Thomas Marzeski. "It has reduced the deficit created by the freeze on BOCES aid."

Marzeski said the district lost $38,000 in anticipated aid that was slated for contribution to BOCES building projects at the Grand Gorge and Milford campuses. Seward's grant will go toward this, he said.

Cooperstown Central School's grant will partly cover purchase of technological equipment, Superintendent Mary Jo McPhail said.

The school committed to buying computers and other hardware for the district through BOCES, but came up $36,000 short after the budget was passed, McPhail said.

"We are very appreciative of Senator Seward understanding our situation and awarding us this generous grant," she said. "The $40,000 will be used to offset that revenue loss."

The hardware purchase was also made possible by a $150,000 grant from the Clark Foundation and tax dollars, McPhail said.

The 10 a.m. press conference in the middle-high school library was attended by school administrators, staff, school board members and several students.

About two weeks ago, Seward announced $245,000 in state grants for public schools in Oneonta, Edmeston, Laurens, Schenevus, Worcester, Morris and Unatego.

Richfield Springs received a grant of $10,000, Seward announced Monday.

"I believe the state should be a partner with our school districts in funding education," Seward said. "The award means a little relief for budgets and taxpayers, and the continuation of some programs that could have been canceled."