Budget & finance
Michael Rebell, of the Center for Educational Equity, led a legal battle 30 years ago that paved the way for the state’s Foundation Aid formula.
Earlier this year, NYC officials blamed the upgraded cafeterias for encouraging kids to eat more, and as a result, they cut popular foods from school menus.
The city’s early childhood education system has taken center stage during budget negotiations between Mayor Eric Adams and City Council this year.
If the city doesn’t allocate additional funding, officials “will have an all out war with parents, teachers, and the Albany legislature,” the teachers union warned.
As NYC closes the books on a school year marked by curriculum changes, political strife, and budget woes, we’re already looking ahead to the first day of school on Sept. 7.
The pages break down how much money each school received per student, and allows you to compare it to the citywide average of roughly $21,112 per student.
The funding will help keep school budgets afloat, restore hours that had been cut from the city’s popular summer school initiative, and stabilize a slew of other programs.
Council members questioned officials as the looming expiration of federal COVID relief money threatens to shave $808 million from the Education Department’s budget.
The smaller budget is largely the result of expiring federal relief dollars, and Adams’ proposal saves a slew of programs that were on the chopping block.
By far, this marks the city’s largest commitment to date to replace the dwindling pandemic aid.
The staffers play a critical role on the front lines of two colliding crises: the exploding number of students living in homeless shelters, and elevated rates of chronic absenteeism in the wake of the pandemic.
Early childhood education programs have seen steep cuts in recent months.
The early childhood cuts, if reversed, would be the latest item slashed by Adams in recent months to get restored thanks to what city officials describe as an improving budget picture.
The Professional Performing Arts School, a Manhattan public school with such alums as Jeremy Allen White, Alicia Keys, and Britney Spears, is losing its theater program.
Advocates and lawmakers have raised concerns that some charter schools may be taking advantage of a state law requiring the city to cover their rental costs.
Critics say the city still hasn’t provided a satisfactory explanation for why the midyear menu reductions were necessary.
Thanks to a budget cut from Mayor Eric Adams, middle school students will face significantly reduced hours — including no programming on Fridays.
Nearly 70% of funding for Learning to Work, a program that offers counselors and paid internships, is set to expire in June.
The “Dignity in Schools” called for the city to put millions toward restorative justice and mental health programs, while diverting money away from school policing.
Advocates celebrated Wednesday’s news, but warned it does nothing to reverse the massive cuts already coming from previous reductions, along with expiring federal aid.