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NY State Budget Makes "Historic Commitment" To Funding Public Schools
By
Jessica Gould
Published Apr 7, 2021
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NYC Mayor's Office
By
Jessica Gould
Published Apr 7, 2021
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The New York State budget includes an unprecedented 11% increase in aid to schools, a welcome infusion of cash some education advocates attribute to the pandemic, a political power shift in Albany that put Democrats in control of both houses in the Legislature, and the scandals that have engulfed Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“When COVID hit, it just exposed the inequalities that we all knew existed,” said Jasmine Gripper, executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education, a non-profit that advocates for equitable school funding across the state’s nearly 731 districts. “Education was in the news more than it had been previously, and the gap between those who have and don't have was right in front of our faces.”
The State Senate has passed a $217 billion budget that includes $29.5 million for education. It now moves on to the State Assembly, which is expected to pass it this week. The budget is already a week over its April 1st deadline, but Governor Cuomo has said he will sign it.
Advocates are calling the spending plan historic for its hefty allocation of school dollars.
It marks the fulfillment of a decades-old lawsuit and 2006 court order requiring more state funding for schools.
The state is also distributing $12 billion in stimulus money to schools statewide, a massive federal infusion that could be transformative for schools.
“For once, resources will not be a barrier for schools planning how to reopen and how to address learning loss,” said Jasmine Gripper, executive director of the advocacy group the Alliance for Quality Education. “Schools will have enough resources to meet the needs of students.”
State Senator John Liu said new taxes on millionaires will help pay for “a historic” increase in education funding from the state. “It’s a historic commitment to finally providing funding that was mandated by the courts years ago,” said Liu.
The court case dates back to 1993, when a coalition of parents called the Campaign for Fiscal Equity sued New York for failing to provide students a “sound and basic” education guaranteed under the state constitution.
Robert Jackson, who represents much of Manhattan’s West Side, was a school board member at the time. He became a plaintiff in the suit after seeing how budget cuts were decimating public schools’ staff and resources. He recalls one example, when a robotics team at a Washington Heights elementary school won a citywide championship, only to see its leader laid off because of cutbacks.
In 2006, the court ruled in the plaintiffs’ favor, requiring the state to boost funding for schools, particularly high poverty schools, through a formula called “foundation aid.” But lawmakers put the increase on pause after the 2008 recession. Even after revenues rebounded and the state increased education aid again, Governor Cuomo and the legislature did not boost funding to levels required by the courts.
Under the new plan, an additional $1.4 billion total for school districts across the state will be phased in over the next three years. New York state is increasing its total contribution to New York City from $10 billion in the last budget, to $11.6 billion in this one. The budget will phase in the full amount required by the court over three years.
The Citizens Budget Commission, a spending watchdog group, has criticized the budget, saying the funding formula does not direct money to the neediest schools. Others praised it.
“It’s a fantastic day for the millions of children who are going to receive the money they should have had a long time ago,” said Jackson. “We’re finally, finally, finally getting it done.”
Jackson said the budget marks a shift for Governor Cuomo, who for years has resisted increasing funding to fall in line with the court mandate. He said recent scandals in which the governor has been accused of sexually harassing multiple women and the mishandling of nursing homes during the pandemic, weakened him politically during budget negotiations.
“The governor has been the sticking point for years, and now he acquiesced,” Jackson said.
The budget also distributes much of the federal stimulus package for schools, including nearly $7 billion for New York City schools which can be spread out over the next couple of years.
Liu said the legislature did not accept a proposal by the governor to use stimulus money in place of state funding for schools, as he had last year.
The U.S. Department of Education has said the stimulus money should help reopen K-12 schools safely and “equitably expand opportunity for students who need it most.” School districts must put some of the money toward addressing learning loss and supporting summer school. They can also use the funding to upgrade ventilation and buy personal protective equipment, avoid layoffs, hire nurses and custodians, and expand Wi-Fi.
Now eyes turn to the city’s budget process.
Jackson said he hopes a substantial portion of the money can go to hiring more social workers, tutoring, and a culturally-responsive curriculum.
“We’re just hoping that whatever money comes to New York City… the mayor, this mayor and the next mayor, whoever that may be, and the chancellor, focus on the needs of the children,” Jackson said.
Mayor de Blasio is expected to release a revised financial plan that will reflect the increased state funding and stimulus money this month.
Tagged
pandemic
schools
public schools
coronavirus
Jessica Gould
Jessica is the education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jessica reported on the shutdown and reopening of the nation’s largest school system, highlighting the unprecedented impacts on learning, health and mental health for students, staff and families. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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