New York schools were given a super charge dose of funding by Albany this year. And billions of dollars more in federal aid is on the way, meant to shore up schools affected by the COVID-19 pandemic — providing support for mental health aides as well as help students who have fallen behind as a result of the public health crisis. 

• RELATED | Boost in school aid helped rural schools, report finds

But despite the additional money, problems persist for schools in New York and education officials. A staff shortage — made worse by retirements and a lack of bus drivers — is leading officials to consider ways of fixing those problems. 

The state Senate this week held a public hearing to assess the impact the state and federal funding has had for schools and the future effects of aid. 

State Sen. Shelley Mayer, the chamber's Education Committee chair, said in Capital Tonight interview some problems will require unique solutions, including ways of encouragng people to enter the education field.