FINANCE

NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER BETTY ROSA OUTLINED SIGNIFICANT BUDGET GAPS AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES DURING A JOINT LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON THE 2025-2026 EXECUTIVE BUDGET FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ON WEDNESDAY. Rosa testified before the Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee that the Governor's proposal falls short on several critical education priorities, including facility repairs, special education services, and teacher recruitment. She estimated the State Education Building requires $40 million in repairs—double the $20 million allocated in the Executive Budget—and flagged a projected $7 million deficit at the New York State Museum by March 2026. A central concern raised by multiple legislators was the sustainability of the proposed universal school meals program, which would cost approximately $130 million annually. Assemblyman William Magnarelli pressed Rosa on how the state would fund the initiative if federal support decreases, asking pointedly: "If we're going to be $100 million short next year, is that where we're going to put the money?" Rosa deferred to the Governor's office and Department of Budget, acknowledging the Legislature would need to address the revenue question. Senator Shelley Mayer, chair of the Senate Education Committee, raised concerns that New York City schools would receive $350 million less than expected under the Governor's proposal, driven partly by updated poverty counts. She questioned whether the administration's failure to include Regional Cost Index changes recommended by the Rockefeller Institute would adequately address funding disparities in high-cost regions including New York City and the Hudson Valley. Assemblyman Robert Carroll, chair of the Libraries Committee, highlighted a stark funding gap: the Executive Budget proposes $104.6 million for public library operating aid, while the Library Association requests $176 million. He also noted a $1.75 billion capital backlog for library systems against only $34 million in the Governor's proposal. Carroll delivered pointed criticism of delays in implementing evidence-based literacy instruction, noting that $10 million allocated last year for professional development of 20,000 teachers has not yet been deployed. "It is unbelievably frustrating," he said, emphasizing that 50 percent of New York children read below grade level and 30 percent don't read at all. Rosa acknowledged the literacy work was ongoing but defended the department's broader efforts, noting statewide conferences had reached 2,500 educators. On smartphone restrictions in schools, Rosa emphasized local flexibility and student involvement rather than a statewide ban, citing examples of districts like Geneva where students developed their own policies. She estimated implementation costs at approximately $10 per student. The hearing, held January 29 in Albany, featured testimony from state education officials and is part of a series of joint legislative budget hearings on the Governor's fiscal year 2025-2026 proposal. NEW YORK — State education officials faced pointed questioning Wednesday about Foundation Aid formulas, charter school saturation, and federal policy threats during a joint legislative hearing on the 2025-2026 elementary and secondary education budget. Sen. John Liu challenged the Executive Budget's use of federal poverty guidelines to calculate Foundation Aid, arguing the one-size-fits-all approach reduces funding for New York City schools by approximately $400 million annually. The federal poverty threshold of roughly $32,150 fails to account for regional cost-of-living differences, Liu said, and he pressed Commissioner Rosa to consider alternative metrics like a Regional Cost Index. "Using that kind of measure statewide reduces the amount of Foundation Aid available for New York City public schools by a substantial amount," Liu said. Commissioner Rosa acknowledged the limitations but noted the Board of Regents endorsed the current metric as "a step in the right direction" while not fully addressing student needs. Sen. Bynoe raised alarm about charter school saturation in her district, where Hempstead sends $87 million of its $234 million total aid to charter schools, with Uniondale projected to send $25 million. She questioned whether SED adequately considers saturation when reviewing charter school applications. Deputy Commissioner Johnson-Dingle acknowledged "a problem with the way that charter schools are funded" under current law, but noted the issue involves complex interactions between SUNY and SED oversight. Sen. Tedisco, ranking Republican on Education, made a forceful statement that his conference will not balance the budget on the backs of local taxpayers, school districts, or students. He cited New York's affordability crisis—including 101,000 residents leaving the state and potential loss of congressional representation—and questioned how the Governor can simultaneously fund education and provide tax relief. On staffing shortages, Sr. Deputy Commissioner Matteson detailed certification flexibilities, including reducing credit requirements for second science certifications from 30 to 18 hours and accepting comparable out-of-state teacher assessments. She noted Teach.org, operational for nine months, already has more people in its teaching pipeline than traditional teacher prep institutions. Commissioner Rosa defended the state's regionalization initiative, noting 80 percent of districts have opted in voluntarily. She emphasized the effort is not new and benefits rural districts seeking to share resources while maintaining educational quality. On federal threats, Liu asked about potential removal of Title I funding and abolishment of the Department of Education. Commissioner Rosa said the department is examining the impact but did not provide detailed contingency plans. The hearing also addressed school library funding, which has remained at $6.26 per pupil since 2007. The Board of Regents recommended inflation adjustments, though specific figures were not provided. Assemblyman Conrad raised concerns about eliminating $14.3 million for staff resource centers while implementing a new diploma program requiring significant staff development, and noted teachers report excessive paperwork burdens. NEW YORK — The state Education Department faced pointed questioning from lawmakers on Tuesday over Foundation Aid formula reform, the East Ramapo school district crisis, and immigration enforcement guidance during a joint legislative budget hearing on the 2025-2026 elementary and secondary education budget. Commissioner Rosa defended her department's handling of the East Ramapo situation, where she ordered a 4.38 percent tax levy increase in July despite voters approving only 1 percent. Sen. Weber (38th District) challenged the commissioner, noting the district went from a reported $20 million deficit to a $30 million surplus—a $50 million swing—and questioned whether she regretted the directive. Rosa said she did not regret the action, citing the district's decade-long failure to serve students, though she clarified the order was specific to English language learner services. Multiple senators criticized the Foundation Aid formula as outdated and inadequate. Sen. Jackson compared it to an old car with 330,000 miles that needs replacement, not repair, and called for a complete overhaul. The commissioner acknowledged the need for a new formula and said the department is working with researcher Michael Rebell and the American Institutes for Research on developing a roadmap to reform. Lawmakers also raised concerns about charter school oversaturation in certain districts. Sen. Cleare noted that District 5 and Harlem's District 3 are experiencing traditional public school collapse due to charter proliferation, and questioned why New York City is the only municipality forced to pay rent for charter schools. Sen. Brisport noted that School District 16 is approaching a 50-50 split between public and charter enrollment. On immigration enforcement, Assemblywoman Cruz pressed the commissioner on whether there is state law—not just guidance—preventing civil immigration enforcement in schools. Rosa confirmed there is only guidance, no state law. Cruz also asked about protecting the licenses of DACA-eligible teachers and nurses, offering to discuss legislation. The department acknowledged staffing shortages across multiple areas. Commissioner Rosa said NYSED staff are each doing 7-10 jobs due to flat staffing levels, and the department lacks sufficient staff to expedite credentialing for Career and Technical Education programs. On special education, Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato challenged a Board of Regents amendment that appeared to eliminate due process hearing rights for special education services, arguing it forces parents to pay out-of-pocket for private services. The commissioner cited concerns about corruption and abuse in the hearing system but did not directly address the due process elimination. The hearing also covered the adequacy of the 2 percent aid floor given inflation exceeding 4 percent, the status of $30 million in capital funding for 4201 schools ($25 million awarded, $5 million reserved for emergencies), and concerns about the mascot regulation, where Sen. Weik said five schools in her district report receiving no communication from the department despite claims of ongoing outreach. The hearing was held before the Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee on January 29, 2025. New York State Education Department Commissioner Rosa faced pointed criticism from state legislators over the 2025-2026 executive budget during a joint legislative hearing on Wednesday, with lawmakers expressing deep concerns about unfunded mandates, budget cuts to education programs, and what they characterized as a disconnect between NYSED and the Governor's office. The most contentious issue centered on the electric school bus mandate, which Senator Borrello called a "ridiculous boondoggle" and "virtue-signaling mandate" that forces school districts to choose between educational services and compliance. Borrello cited an $8 billion cost differential between gas and electric buses statewide, plus billions more in required infrastructure. Senator Stec, representing a large rural North Country district, echoed the concerns, noting that rural schools cannot effectively charge buses due to range limitations and require multiple vehicles to maintain service. Both senators called for a pilot program approach and urged the Governor to pause the mandate, similar to her pause on congestion pricing. Deputy Commissioner Harmon acknowledged the concerns, noting that only 54 of approximately 600-700 surveyed school districts have zero-emission buses in operation by the end of the current school year. He supported the need for comprehensive studies on implementation costs. Other major issues included unpaid prior claims to school districts totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Chairman Pretlow criticized the state's failure to reimburse districts and suggested using Attorney General lawsuit settlement funds to pay off the claims. He also raised concerns about charter school tuition calculations, arguing that the current formula incentivizes schools to send back high-need students while keeping tuition payments, effectively increasing costs for traditional public schools. Legislators also pressed NYSED on budget cuts to arts education and financial literacy programs, particularly their impact on high-need districts. Assemblywoman Torres expressed concern about decreases in Summer School for the Arts funding and financial literacy programs in the South Bronx. Deputy Commissioner Johnson-Dingle announced that financial literacy will be required for all students beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, with flexibility for districts to implement as standalone courses or integrated across existing classes. Assemblywoman Walsh raised concerns about the Early Intervention Hub, a $53 million contract launched in October 2024, which she said has resulted in nonpayment and delayed payments to providers, potentially affecting kindergarten readiness. She also questioned why NYSED has not provided a cost estimate for reimbursing all non-public schools statewide for immunization compliance, a requirement imposed by law 10 years ago. Chairwoman Krueger advocated for increased funding for public radio, noting that federal funding cuts are likely and that public radio is often the only source of local news in many communities. She noted that radio stations have received only $14 million over seven years at $58,500 per station, while the funding formula skews toward television. Commissioner Rosa emphasized NYSED's role as an independent agency dependent on legislative support, noting that many of the initiatives discussed in testimony were not included in the Governor's executive proposal. She pledged to work with legislators on various issues, including a review of public broadcasting funding formulas and the development of a plan for hiring internal expertise in reading science and dyslexia instruction. NEW YORK — State and city education officials faced pointed questioning Wednesday over Foundation Aid formula changes, immigrant student attendance drops, and literacy instruction gaps during a joint legislative hearing on the 2025-2026 education budget. New York City Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos warned that the Governor's proposed Foundation Aid formula revisions would cost the city nearly $350 million compared to the current formula, disproportionately impacting the nation's largest school system. She noted that NYC's share of school funding has shifted dramatically, with the state contributing 36 percent today versus 50 percent in 2002, while the city now covers 57 percent. The chancellor also disclosed a concerning 4-7 percent drop in student attendance since the presidential inauguration compared to the same week last year, attributing it partly to fear among immigrant families. She emphasized that NYC Public Schools cannot allow law enforcement to enter buildings without judicial warrants and has trained over 1,500 principals and staff on the policy. On literacy, Aviles-Ramos highlighted the success of NYC Reads, which has reached all 840-plus elementary schools and benefits over 500,000 students combined with the NYC Solves math initiative. However, Assemblyman Dov Hikind pressed both state and city officials on whether they have inventoried school libraries to remove leveled readers and replace them with decodable texts aligned with the science of reading. The chancellor acknowledged the work remains incomplete. Assemblyman Hikind also highlighted a dramatic decline in school librarians, from 1,600 historically to just 260 today, with 74 percent of NYC schools lacking a certified librarian. The chancellor said the system is working with universities to develop a pipeline and has certified 80 teachers as librarians through a conversion program. State Education Department officials defended dual enrollment tracking requirements, noting that only 2 percent of students currently have access to robust early college programs. However, Assemblyman Magnarelli opposed the mandate, arguing it adds to the burden of existing state reporting requirements without evidence that such mandates reduce costs or improve outcomes. Senator John Liu pressed the chancellor on law enforcement protocols and questioned the feasibility of the state's "portrait of the graduate" initiative given NYC's overcrowded classrooms. He also expressed skepticism about eliminating Regents exams as a graduation requirement, noting that the exams, while imperfect, have long served as a standard. The hearing, held before the Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Education Committee, continues with testimony from 39 additional education stakeholder groups. NEW YORK — NYC Schools Chancellor David Aviles-Ramos warned state lawmakers on Wednesday that the Governor's proposed changes to the Foundation Aid formula would cost the city approximately $350 million in anticipated education funding, a reduction that would force cuts to after-school programs, academic support for multilingual learners, and students with disabilities. Testifying before the Senate Finance Committee on the 2025-2026 executive budget, Aviles-Ramos and her team outlined the cascading impacts of the budget proposal, which would modify poverty rate calculations without corresponding adjustments to regional cost factors. Deputy Chancellor Vadehra said the city receives over $2 billion in federal education funding and warned that potential cuts to Title I and IDEA funding under Project 2025 could further devastate school budgets. The Chancellor also detailed implementation costs for the cellphone ban policy, which would require approximately $30 per student annually for magnetic storage pouches, plus funding for additional personnel to manage collection and distribution. She noted that 800 schools have already volunteered to implement the ban but lack adequate funding. The NYC Reads literacy program, which the Chancellor acknowledged has faced challenges in implementation, costs roughly $55 million annually. Sen. Shelley Mayer pressed the Chancellor on contingency planning, asking what programs would be cut if the $350 million reduction proceeds. Aviles-Ramos deferred specifics to her financial team but indicated after-school programs and academic support would be at risk. Sen. Brisport raised concerns about the closure of five childcare centers, including one in his district, questioning whether the Governor's budget provides sufficient funding to expand early childhood education rather than contract it. The Chancellor reported that NYC Public Schools enrollment stands at approximately 908,000 students, with a graduation rate of 83 percent. She emphasized her priorities include access to quality instruction, college preparation, and wraparound services through community schools, though she acknowledged the "exorbitant" costs of expanding the community school model citywide. Several senators expressed support for Aviles-Ramos, with Sen. Sepúlveda calling her uniquely qualified to lead the system. However, the hearing underscored deep concerns about the adequacy of state education funding and the vulnerability of NYC schools to federal budget cuts. NEW YORK — A joint legislative hearing on the 2025-2026 elementary and secondary education budget revealed sharp disagreements over school funding adequacy and class-size reduction compliance, with Senator John Liu directly challenging the Department of Education's progress on a constitutional mandate. Liu, a Democrat, confronted NYC Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos over claims that the department has substantially advanced class-size reduction efforts. He noted that compliance has actually declined from 58 percent when legislation passed to the current 46 percent, despite the law requiring 40 percent compliance. "The reality is that the department has done virtually nothing to achieve that," Liu said, adding that the city is offering only $200-300 million while the Chancellor estimates $1.5 billion is needed. The hearing, held before the Senate Finance Committee on January 29, also surfaced concerns about special education services. Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato raised alarm that several thousand children with Individualized Education Service Plans (IESPs) have not received mandated services this school year. She criticized the DOE for establishing new requirements without proper advance notice to parents and imposing an arbitrary June 1st deadline. First Deputy Chancellor Weisberg responded that approximately 80-plus percent of families unable to file notices on time have since received services. Immigration enforcement emerged as a significant concern. Assemblywoman Marcela Mitaynes, representing South Brooklyn's large immigrant community, pressed the Chancellor on ICE enforcement policies in schools. While Aviles-Ramos reiterated that ICE cannot enter schools without a judicial warrant, Mitaynes challenged whether such visits are consistent with trauma-informed practices and connected school enrollment declines to immigration fears. "To say that this isn't directly connected — it feels like a disservice to the people that are bringing — are giving you their children to take care of," she said. Senator Roxanne Persaud questioned why schools remain underfunded despite receiving allocations, noting that principals must rely on colleagues for resources. She also raised concerns about inequitable treatment of public school students in spaces collocated with charter schools. The Chancellor highlighted several initiatives: $4 million in decodable book purchases aligned with the science of reading, a 70 percent increase in school social workers over a decade, and universal free breakfast and lunch serving roughly 800,000 meals daily. She also defended the administration's approach to Gifted & Talented programs, saying decisions are community-driven rather than ideological, with at least one G&T program now in each district. United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew testified that the union has filed a complaint with the State Education Department alleging that New York City's Office of Management and Budget supplanted $10 million in education funding. He also called for updating Foundation Aid formulas and fixing Tier 6 pension rules requiring teachers to work until age 63. The hearing continues with additional panels of education stakeholders. School administrators and teachers' union leaders testified before the New York State Legislature's Finance Committee on January 29 regarding the 2025-2026 executive budget for elementary and secondary education, raising concerns about Foundation Aid formula changes, school safety, and implementation of new policies while generally supporting the Governor's education initiatives. The Council for School Supervisors and Administrators and the School Administrators Association of New York State expressed support for the Governor's proposals on universal childcare, universal school meals, and cellphone restrictions, but warned that replacing the poverty factor in the Foundation Aid formula would disproportionately impact New York City schools. Henry Rubio, CSA president, testified that NYC schools will need approximately $1 billion for construction by 2028, 900 additional teachers, and more supervisors. He urged support for legislation requiring appointed assistant principals in every school for safety purposes. On the $10 million back-to-basics professional development program for reading instruction, Melinda Person of NYSUT revealed that no state funds have been distributed yet, though NYSUT has invested significantly in beta testing a 25-hour course at its own expense. She reported that several hundred people are enrolled and the entire Niagara Falls School District is being trained this month. Michael Mulgrew of the United Federation of Teachers emphasized that UFT has paid for all instructors out of its own budget. Regarding cellphone policy, witnesses noted that the $13 million funding proposal includes flexibility for local implementation, though some expressed concerns about continuity of funding in future years. Mulgrew cited medical documentation showing cellphones harm student mental wellness and noted that schools implementing such policies initially faced parent and student opposition but saw acceptance after one year. Sen. Bynoe raised significant concerns about charter school saturation in her Nassau County district, where communities are sending $120 million to charter schools currently and projected to send $140 million next year. She asked witnesses about impacts on public school programs and educators. Multiple legislators pressed for additional CTE funding, with Sen. Mayer noting the Governor's budget includes no new CTE funding despite Senate efforts to invest more significantly. Witnesses also highlighted ongoing concerns about teacher and principal recruitment and retention, with Rubio citing burnout as a major factor in principal departures. Assemblywoman Cruz pledged to fight for Tier 6 pension reform and alerted the panel to a cannabis licensing loophole that could allow dispensaries within 500 feet of schools. She also praised union leaders for providing clear guidance to members on immigration enforcement protocols in schools. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARS EDUCATION BUDGET TESTIMONY; UNION LEADERS AND SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS WARN OF FEDERAL THREATS AND FUNDING GAPS Education leaders testified before the New York State Senate Finance Committee on January 29 regarding the 2025-2026 Executive Budget, with union officials warning of potential federal policy threats while school superintendents highlighted persistent funding inequities and enrollment crises. Michael Mulgrew of the United Federation of Teachers and Melinda Person of the New York State United Teachers expressed deep concern about potential federal policy changes, particularly the possible conversion of Title I and Title II-A programs to block grants. "Tying very essential programs to federal money. That is our biggest worry for us in this industry," Mulgrew testified. The union leaders also highlighted progress in teacher training, noting that UFT has trained close to 40,000 teachers in science of reading this year alone. Senate Finance Committee Chair Shelley Krueger engaged extensively with union leaders on federal threats, signaling strong bipartisan concern about protecting education funding. "I think we're all going to be in this fight quite a bit," she said. Meanwhile, superintendents from the state's largest school districts painted a stark picture of funding challenges. Anibal Soler Jr., superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools, sounded an alarm about a $68 million structural budget gap despite maintaining the highest graduation rate (90 percent) among the Big 5 districts. He criticized the Foundation Aid formula for penalizing Yonkers due to high property values in Westchester County, requesting a Regional Cost Index adjustment worth $22 million. Dr. K. Veronica Smith of Mount Vernon reported that the district has been designated as significantly in fiscal distress, with enrollment declining 19.6 percent from 10,000 to 6,500 students. Special education costs have surged from $39 million to $60 million over five years, now consuming 22 percent of the budget. Dr. Demario Strickland of Rochester testified that the district pays $141 million annually in charter school tuition, with 29 percent of Rochester's public school students attending charter schools. He requested a moratorium on charter school expansion. Syracuse Superintendent Anthony Davis highlighted that 20 percent of his students need special education services and another 20 percent are English language learners, requesting further Foundation Aid formula adjustments to address these needs. Education leaders also praised community schools as a cost-effective investment. Person cited research showing that every dollar invested in community schools returns $6 in benefits, requesting a $100 million state investment to double the number of community schools. The hearing underscored tensions between state funding formulas that some districts say inadequately reflect their needs and federal policy uncertainty that threatens education funding streams. Union leaders and superintendents largely aligned on the need for Foundation Aid formula improvements and expressed concern about a proposed statewide cellphone ban in schools, with some noting it could create anxiety among students worried about contacting parents amid federal immigration enforcement actions. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARS TESTIMONY ON 2025-2026 EDUCATION BUDGET Albany — School superintendents and education advocates testified before the New York State Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday regarding Governor Hochul's proposed 2025-2026 budget for elementary and secondary education, with witnesses highlighting both support for increased Foundation Aid and serious concerns about structural deficits, charter school impacts, and unfunded mandates. The hearing revealed stark financial disparities among urban school districts. Yonkers Superintendent Jose Soler disclosed a $68 million structural budget gap and warned that without additional state support, the district faces potential layoffs. Soler noted that Yonkers used $40 million in reserves last year to cover shortfalls, leaving only $30 million remaining. Mount Vernon Acting Superintendent Alyssa Smith described multiple crises, including transportation costs that jumped from $12 million to $19 million and a ceiling collapse that delayed school opening. Chairman Pretlow raised pointed questions about charter school impacts, noting that Mount Vernon spends $37,000 per student while other districts spend $24,000. He questioned whether superintendents had calculated the additional per-student costs generated by charter schools, arguing that losing one student does not reduce overall district costs. Soler acknowledged Yonkers had not conducted such analysis. Senator Shelley Mayer pressed Soler on whether the district would face layoffs without the proposed Regional Cost Index, which would bring $22 million to Yonkers. She also expressed openness to fiscal monitoring for Mount Vernon, signaling legislative support for additional oversight of struggling districts. Assemblyman Maher raised concerns about the 2027 electric bus mandate, asking superintendents whether a pause would be appropriate given funding challenges. Utica Superintendent Spence said the city lacks infrastructure to support electric buses, while Albany Superintendent Hochreiter noted that bus contracting costs increased 30 percent this year alone. Robert Lowry of the New York State Council of School Superintendents praised the Governor's budget as "a welcome and dramatic turnaround," noting that the proposed 2 percent minimum Foundation Aid increase would help 56 percent of districts, with 80 percent of aid going to average or high-need districts. However, he expressed concerns about the electric bus transition timeline. Brian Cechnicki of the Association of School Business Officials highlighted a critical inequity in prior-year aid adjustments. He reported that $300 million in prior-year aid claims remain unpaid to districts statewide, including $136 million to New York City, $6.8 million to Schenectady, $4.8 million to Mount Vernon, $3.3 million to Buffalo, and $2.8 million to Newburgh. Cechnicki described an unfair system where state overpayments are recovered immediately, but underpayments to districts face an 18-year repayment queue subject to appropriation. Kyle Belokopitsky of the New York State Parent Teacher Association strongly supported the budget's full funding of universal school meals at $340 million, a $160 million increase over last year. She also advocated for expanded school-based mental health services and career and technical education. The hearing underscored tensions between legislative support for increased education funding and concerns about implementation challenges, particularly regarding unfunded mandates and the need for comprehensive formula reform. NEW YORK — A joint legislative hearing on the 2025-2026 education budget revealed stark academic performance gaps and competing funding priorities, with testimony highlighting a crisis in elementary math and reading proficiency alongside workforce shortages in specialized schools. Ashara Baker, director of the National Parents Union, presented alarming data from the newly released National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, stating that only 31 percent of fourth and eighth-graders were proficient or above in reading, with fewer than 40 percent proficient in math for fourth-graders. The disparities are most severe in major urban districts: only 11 percent of third-graders in Rochester are proficient in reading, compared to 24 percent in Buffalo. Statewide, fewer than 10 percent of elementary students across 64 school districts are proficient in math. "This is a systematic failure, and we are demanding immediate and effective action," Baker said, calling for evidence-based curriculum interventions, high-impact tutoring, quality instructional materials, and professional development—approaches she said have succeeded in other states like Alabama. The hearing also exposed deep concerns about the state's zero-emission school bus mandate. David Little of the Rural Schools Association provided detailed cost analysis, stating that electric buses cost $300,000 to $400,000 compared to current buses at $100,000, with infrastructure costs potentially exceeding vehicle costs. He cited Shenendehowa's $50 million price tag just for charging station electricity infrastructure and warned that National Grid has indicated insufficient grid capacity to charge all school buses overnight. Chair Pretlow expressed personal skepticism about feasibility, noting that bus lots lack space for charging infrastructure and that electric vehicles perform poorly in New York winters. Special education advocates presented urgent workforce challenges. John Lopez of the 853 Schools Coalition reported a 36 percent teacher vacancy rate and 30 percent teaching assistant vacancy rate among private special education schools, with 50 classrooms closed due to staffing shortages. He requested $15 million in workforce investments and $60 million for capital infrastructure. Dr. Bernadette Kappen of the 4201 Schools Association, representing 11 state schools serving deaf, blind, and severely disabled children, stated that level funding is insufficient given rising costs for specialized therapies, technology, and competitive teacher salaries. Sen. Shelley Mayer raised concerns about approximately 20 school districts not participating in the federal school lunch program, leaving low-income students without meal access. Sen. Todd Murray questioned whether medical vaccine exemption decisions should remain with school administrators rather than state medical professionals, citing cases where valid exemptions were denied. The hearing underscored tensions between immediate academic crisis response and long-term infrastructure and workforce investments, with legislators signaling support for evidence-based education interventions while expressing skepticism about the feasibility and cost of mandated bus electrification. NEW YORK — Education advocates and special interest groups clashed with state lawmakers Wednesday over whether Governor Hochul's proposed $1.7 billion education increase adequately addresses systemic funding inequities, with particular tension over the state's outdated Foundation Aid formula and the path forward on universal school meals. Michael Rebell, a prominent education finance expert from Teachers College, Columbia University, delivered the hearing's most pointed criticism, calling the Governor's proposal "unconstitutional" for continuing to rely on a 19-year-old Foundation Aid formula that uses outdated census data and fails to reflect current student needs. Rebell said the Rockefeller Institute's own analysis confirmed the formula is "totally outmoded" and that Teachers College is developing a comprehensive replacement formula that could be ready by December 2025, requesting legislative cooperation and funding to complete the work. Randi Levine of Advocates for Children of New York testified that the Executive Budget proposal would leave New York City schools $350 million short of what they need to serve low-income students, citing the city's 146,000 homeless students and 700,000 economically disadvantaged students. She criticized the proposal for failing to update the Regional Cost Index, which has remained frozen since 2006, and for not accounting for regional cost-of-living differences when using federal poverty guidelines. Chairman Pretlow expressed skepticism about formula reform, warning that any new formula would necessarily reduce aid to some districts—a political obstacle he compared to property tax reassessments. "If we change it, several districts would have to go down," Pretlow said, noting the Governor's 2 percent hold-harmless provision. On universal school meals, testifiers presented near-unanimous support. Dr. David Sandman of the New York Health Foundation said the Executive Budget's proposal to provide free meals to an additional 280,000 students would save families up to $165 per child monthly and eliminate stigma that currently prevents eligible students from participating. Jessica Pino-Goodspeed of the Healthy School Meals for All New York Kids Coalition reported that 87 percent of surveyed parents support universal meals and 82 percent of parents with access to the program felt financial relief. Special act school district representatives testified about critical funding gaps. Dr. Kappen of the 4201 schools said capital needs exceed $100 million for health and safety repairs in buildings 100-200 years old, while John Lopez of the 853 schools highlighted a constitutional gap: state law requires districts to educate students with disabilities until age 22, but provides no reimbursement for ages 21-22, forcing some districts to terminate services on students' 22nd birthdays. Max Prime of the New York Library Association criticized the Executive Budget's proposed $10 million cut to library construction aid, calling it a "regrettable return" to underfunding. He noted that sustained underfunding of $207 million over three decades has depleted services and that library materials aid has been frozen at $6.25 per pupil since 2007. The hearing, held before the Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee on January 29, revealed deep disagreements over education funding priorities and the political feasibility of comprehensive formula reform, even as advocates pressed for immediate action on universal meals and special education support. New York State legislators heard testimony on January 29 on the Governor's 2025-2026 elementary and secondary education budget, with advocates pressing for significant increases in funding for libraries, school facilities, nonpublic schools, and special education services. Ms. Barnett of a children's environmental health organization urged lawmakers to demand that the Board of Regents and Education Department develop a comprehensive school facility climate and health plan, citing research showing that high heat reduces learning ability and test scores. She presented data from a congressional district upstate showing that 16 percent of public schools had absenteeism rates exceeding 45 percent annually, 31 percent were in high heat vulnerability areas, and 42 percent had ventilation systems with less than five years of remaining life. The New York Library Association requested $176.8 million for operating aid and $175 million for construction aid, arguing that current funding has not kept pace with inflation or expanded library services. Mr. Prime noted that libraries are forced to pay 2-3 times more for audiobooks than individual consumers and must renew licenses annually, and he advocated for legislation to regulate these licensing practices. He emphasized that every dollar invested in libraries returns approximately $7 to communities. Advocates for nonpublic schools pressed for increased security funding, citing an 84 percent increase in hate crimes in New York State with 961 incidents in the past year. Ms. Altfield of Teach NYS requested $100 million for the STEM reimbursement program (currently $75.5 million) and an increase in the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment program from $70 million to $90 million. Rabbi Silber of Agudath Israel strongly supported S1325 legislation to protect parents' due process rights in special education disputes, noting that thousands of children were without services months into the school year following Board of Regents amendments. He also highlighted a $15 million discrepancy in East Ramapo's budget, where the Commissioner reported a $20 million deficit but the district later announced a $30 million surplus. Mr. Merriman of the NYC Charter School Center defended charter school performance, noting that 39 percent of Black students in early grades in NYC public schools attend charters and that charter students outperform district counterparts by 24 percentage points in math on state assessments. Senators pressed witnesses on specific funding calculations and expressed support for library investment, with Sen. Murray emphasizing that library funding represents a strong return on investment. NEW YORK — Lawmakers heard competing testimony on school funding equity and enforcement Wednesday during a joint legislative hearing on the 2025-2026 education budget, with advocates clashing over charter school funding, religious school regulation, and the adequacy of proposed Foundation Aid reforms. The hearing, held by the Senate and Assembly Finance committees, featured eight panels of education stakeholders debating the Governor's budget proposal and broader K-12 funding issues. A central tension emerged between charter school advocates and public school districts over funding formulas, with the New York Charter Schools Association arguing that charter students generate Foundation Aid for host districts but receive no corresponding aid based on student need. Anna Hall of the charter association cited Rochester as an example, where charter schools serving low-income and minority students lost state funding from fiscal 2024 to 2025 despite legislative support. School security emerged as another major issue. Testimony revealed that security spending at schools increased 47 percent in the months immediately following October 7th, with current-year spending up 80 percent from last year. Some schools are spending $1,200 per day for a single security guard. The Archdiocese of New York reported $800 million in capital needs for health, safety, and security across three NYC boroughs and seven upstate counties. The most contentious testimony came from Beatrice Weber of YAFFED, an advocacy organization focused on Hasidic yeshivas. Weber claimed approximately 65,000 students attend yeshivas that fail to provide sound basic education, with some offering no instruction in English, math, or science. She cited 18 schools found noncompliant with substantial equivalency requirements as of June 2023, with one school remaining noncompliant since October 2022. Weber urged lawmakers not to change substantial equivalency laws and to allow the State Education Department to enforce regulations. Assemblywoman Pheffer-Amato challenged the 65,000 figure and objected to characterizations of political corruption, saying the Legislature is working to move substantial equivalency enforcement forward. On Foundation Aid reform, education advocates largely supported the Governor's proposal to update poverty measurements using Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, but emphasized that changes must be paired with Regional Cost Index updates to avoid cuts in high-needs districts like New York City. The Alliance for Quality Education noted the proposal affects 24 school districts, 16 of which are high-needs. Education Trust-New York cited NAEP results released that day showing New York students remain below pre-pandemic levels in math and reading, with over half of Black and Latinx students scoring at below basic levels. The organization called for comprehensive Foundation Aid reform including differentiated weights for poverty concentrations and increased literacy funding. Chair Pretlow expressed skepticism about charter school funding claims, stating that two school districts testified earlier that charter schools retain tuition when students leave. Charter school representatives disputed this, offering to provide detailed information on how funding is reconciled. The hearing underscored ongoing disputes over school choice, funding equity, and regulatory enforcement that will likely shape budget negotiations. The New York State Legislature's Joint Finance Committee concluded its 2025-2026 Executive Budget hearing on elementary and secondary education on Wednesday evening, with Chairman Pretlow pressing a testifier on the technical details of poverty calculations in the education funding formula. The hearing, which concluded at 7:26 p.m., focused on how existing poverty data should be applied to budget allocations rather than whether poverty metrics themselves should be recalculated. Mr. Smink, whose organizational affiliation was not identified in the transcript excerpt, confirmed under questioning that his proposal involved using current poverty data with modified methodology rather than generating new poverty calculations. The exchange highlighted ongoing legislative scrutiny of how poverty metrics are incorporated into New York's school funding formulas—a perennial point of contention in state budget negotiations. The hearing included testimony from at least three witnesses, though the full transcript of earlier testimony was not included in the record. Chairwoman Krueger also presided over the joint hearing. No specific budget figures or legislative bills were discussed in the recorded portion of the hearing.