VIDEO: Chalkbeat CEO Elizabeth Green on COVID-19 and the future of education journalism

State Sen. John Liu suggested the city could phase in smaller class sizes over four years instead of two. Any changes to the 2022 mandate are likely to spark debate in Albany.

The announcement at a Tuesday meeting comes as substantial changes for IPS are on the horizon that will dilute the elected school board’s power.

Supporters framed the bill as a money-saver for families. “I’m raising two daughters right now, and I think every $5 you can keep in your pocket is important,” one state lawmaker said.

College advisers said students with undocumented family members are fearful of filling out the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid. The state also has lost a FAFSA data tool that made tracking student progress on the form easier.

Democrats hold the majority on the board, and they argued that the board should stay focused on key education issues such as literacy.

Sherrill’s first budget proposes more than $13.8 billion to education with record funding for K-12 and preschool aid, expanded high-impact tutoring, and new mental health services timed to the state’s first year of phone-free schools.