New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday her proposal to extend mayoral control of NYC's public schools for an additional four years.
The proposal, embedded in the governor's executive budget, is expected to encounter resistance from lawmakers and diverts attention from a forthcoming state review of school governance.
The governor's budget, totaling $233 billion for the fiscal year 2025, outlines key allocations, with a spotlight on public safety initiatives, healthcare funding, mental health crisis management, and substantial investment in education.
Among the notable highlights, the budget earmarks $35.5 billion for Medicaid health care, $4.8 billion to address serious mental illness and the youth mental health crisis, and a record-breaking $35.3 billion for school aid - an $825 million increase from the previous year. New York has also secured $6 billion in federal funding through the 1115 waiver.
In a bid to bolster economic development, the budget allocates $435 million for resiliency projects aimed at protecting communities from severe floods. Additionally, it introduces the Redevelopment of Underutilized Sites for Housing Initiative, utilizing state properties for housing purposes.
Infrastructure and transportation projects receive attention as well, with $100 million allocated to the Pave Our Potholes Program and $61 million earmarked for advancing the Interborough Express and planning the Second Avenue Subway Extension.
Governor Hochul's proposal comes at a crucial juncture, building on the policy initiatives outlined in her recent State of the State address. Notably, it sets aside $10 million for teacher training, supporting a statewide literacy initiative to encourage the adoption of new curriculums in schools.
Despite the extensive budget allocations, the governor faces challenges in gaining approval for the extension of mayoral control over the city's schools. Her advocacy for this extension echoes a similar push in 2022, which resulted in a two-year extension. The state's Education Department is in the process of compiling a report on the effectiveness of the current governance system, and public hearings in New York City have underscored the divisive opinions on the matter, according to New York State.
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$2.4B for Migrant Services, Mental Health Boost
In addition to education-related proposals, Governor Hochul's budget includes a commitment of $2.4 billion to provide shelter and essential services to migrants and asylum seekers, drawing $500 million from the state's reserves. Mental health programs and services also receive significant financial support.
The proposed extension of mayoral control would grant the mayor authority in selecting the schools chancellor and appointing a majority of members to the Panel on Educational Policy (PEP), responsible for major policy decisions and contracts.
The budget, which initiates negotiations with lawmakers on funding allocation for the next fiscal year starting in April, reflects an $825 million increase in education spending. While this is a 2.4% jump from the previous year, it is a more modest increase compared to previous budgets.
Despite the concerns raised by the Alliance for Quality Education, highlighting a $475 million shortfall in school aid compared to expectations, Governor Hochul emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility and acknowledged that replicating the massive increases of recent years is not feasible.
As New York City schools and districts statewide face the end of federal COVID relief funds, set to expire in September, advocates stress the importance of continued funding to support essential programs.
The proposed four-year extension of mayoral control, if enacted, would represent the longest extension since former Mayor Michael Bloomberg's tenure. Advocates and critics alike await the outcome of legislative deliberations on this crucial governance issue, with State Senator John Liu cautioning against premature decisions before the release of the state Education Department's study.
Governor Hochul's budget proposal sets the stage for negotiations, encompassing diverse policy initiatives that will shape the state's fiscal landscape and impact education, public safety, and social services in the coming years, Chalkbeat reported.
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