FINANCE

NEW YORK — State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa told a joint legislative committee on Thursday that the Governor's proposed 2024-2025 budget would devastate school funding, warning that eliminating inflation adjustments and save-harmless provisions would cut $331.4 million in Foundation Aid to 337 school districts, with some losing up to 48 percent of their funding. Rosa testified before the Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee that the abrupt changes, which would particularly harm rural districts and some urban areas including Mount Vernon—already identified as in severe fiscal distress—would force schools to lay off staff, cut mental health services, and eliminate programs addressing learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. "We do not support this position because it impacts on 337 districts. And it's been so abrupt, and the conversations have not taken place," Rosa said, advocating instead for a multi-year "soft landing" approach to any formula changes. Senator Shelley B. Mayer, the Senate Education Committee chair, pressed Rosa for specific data on how many teachers would be laid off and which programs would be cut in districts like Mount Vernon, which would lose over $2 million. Rosa acknowledged the department had conducted district-by-district analysis but said she could speak generally about the likely impacts: staffing reductions, cuts to special education and English language learner services, and elimination of mental health programs. Rosa also highlighted other unfunded priorities, including a special education rate-setting methodology for the state's most specialized schools, services for newly arrived immigrant students, and compliance with a federal court decision requiring schools to provide special education through age 22. She requested $17 million for State Museum operational funding and noted the Charter School Office has been operating on federal dollars with no state support. Assemblyman Edward P. Ra questioned whether the Foundation Aid changes were truly addressing population decline or were instead the result of years of formula manipulations, asking what a comprehensive formula redesign should look like for 2024-2030. The hearing, held February 1 in Albany, was the seventh in a series of joint fiscal committee hearings on the Governor's budget proposal. NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION BUDGET HEARING REVEALS DEEP DIVISIONS OVER PROPOSED SCHOOL AID CUTS Albany — A joint legislative hearing on Governor Hochul's 2024-2025 education budget proposal exposed sharp disagreements between lawmakers and state education officials over proposed changes that would cut funding to 337 rural and suburban school districts across New York. The most contentious issue centered on the Governor's proposal to change how school aid inflation is calculated — from year-to-year increases to a 10-year average. State Education Department Commissioner Rosa acknowledged under questioning from Sen. John Liu that the department does not understand the logic behind the change, effectively conceding that the shift from a 4.1% inflation rate to 2.6% represents a real-dollar cut to school budgets. "So we're not the only dummies here, because I can't understand how you go to a 10-year average inflation rate to allow schools to continue funding their operations," Sen. Liu said, pressing Commissioner Rosa on the proposal's rationale. The hearing also revealed concerns about the Governor's reliance on school district reserves to cushion the cuts. CFO Christina Coughlin acknowledged that when districts deplete reserves to cover budget shortfalls, "when the reserves are gone, they're gone," creating what Sen. Liu called a "double cliff" — districts would face permanent Foundation Aid reductions while also losing temporary transitional funding. Assemblyman Smith reported his district faces $7.4 million in cuts, while Three Village School District on Long Island faces nearly $8 million. "The entire state is ablaze because of the Governor's proposal," Smith said. Sen. Tedisco, a former special education teacher, called the budget "a disaster for education" and raised concerns about unfunded mandates for migrant student services, noting that school districts absorb costs for English as a second language and special education services without adequate state or federal reimbursement. The hearing also addressed library funding gaps. Sen. Chu highlighted that the state's request for $45 million in Library Construction Aid falls $24.4 million short of the New York Library Association's request for $69.4 million. School Material Aid, set at $6.25 per pupil since 2007, has not been adjusted for 17 years of inflation, though CFO Coughlin suggested an inflation-adjusted amount might reach approximately $10 per pupil. On a positive note, the department outlined improvements to special education, including modernization of data systems to track students in real-time and creation of a new K-12 special education certificate to increase staffing flexibility. The hearing was held Feb. 1 before the Senate Finance Committee. New York State Education Department officials faced intense scrutiny from state legislators on Wednesday over the Governor's proposed 2024-2025 budget, which would reduce Foundation Aid to 337 school districts despite a stated commitment to educational equity. The joint legislative hearing on elementary and secondary education revealed deep divisions over the budget's adequacy, with Commissioner Rosa acknowledging that the 2.6% increase is insufficient to meet all education needs. "Can I get everything? Absolutely not," she told Sen. Jackson when asked if the budget would prevent negative impacts on children. The most contentious issue was the elimination of the hold-harmless provision in the Foundation Aid formula, which would protect districts from year-to-year cuts. Commissioner Rosa confirmed she was not consulted on this change and does not support it. Sen. Stec detailed devastating impacts in his North Country district, where 24 of 47 school districts face double-digit cuts ranging from 10% to 46%, with Newcomb losing 46%, Lake Placid losing 42%, and Fulton Central losing 41%. Sen. Oberacker reported $29.9 million leaving his 51st District across 61 schools, including Hancock Central losing $1.2 million. Rural legislators were particularly vocal. Sen. Hinchey described a district in her 41st District that has already closed two elementary schools due to funding pressures, now facing an additional $3 million cut, forcing students onto 40-minute bus rides. She questioned whether the proposed Foundation Aid study would account for districts already taking such drastic measures. On school meals, Deputy Commissioner Johnson-Dingle stated that $125 million is needed to provide universal free meals for all students, but only 86% of students currently receive meals through the Community Eligibility Provision Program. Commissioner Rosa indicated the state would need approximately $302 million total for universal meals. The department proposed a comprehensive Foundation Aid study, but acknowledged it would take at least two years to complete if funded. The $1 million study request has not been included in the Executive Budget. On teacher recruitment, the department requested $1.2 million to contract with Teach.org, which has demonstrated success recruiting teachers from diverse backgrounds. Assemblywoman Jackson pressed for restoration of $21.4 million in Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers funding, which Commissioner Rosa supported. Sen. Murray criticized the CPI smoothing methodology as "absurd" and raised concerns about parents feeling excluded from school policy decisions on issues ranging from library materials to vaccination exemptions. Commissioner Rosa agreed that parental involvement policies need strengthening. The hearing revealed significant disagreement between the Executive and legislative education advocates over the adequacy of the budget and the wisdom of eliminating hold-harmless protections. Multiple legislators warned that the budget process could repeat the eFMAP precedent, where controversial items were addressed at the last minute in final budget negotiations. New York State's 2024-2025 elementary and secondary education budget faced sharp criticism at a joint legislative hearing on February 1st, with upstate lawmakers challenging the accuracy of state aid calculations and the adequacy of school funding amid rising costs. Sen. Tom O'Mara (R-Corning) delivered a scathing critique of what he called "bait-and-switch and false advertising," presenting specific examples of school districts in his Finger Lakes and Southern Tier region facing severe cuts despite state aid calculation runs showing increases. Hammondsport School District faces a 30.7 percent cut exceeding $1 million, while Corning, Elmira Heights, Wellsville, and Candor school districts are all taking substantial hits despite reported increases of 7 to 16.7 percent in state aid runs, O'Mara said. He also raised concerns about impending 20 to 40 percent increases in school district health insurance costs and criticized the budget's allocation of $2.4 billion for migrant services, $150 million for floating pools, and $45 million for tree planting. NYSED CFO Christina Coughlin acknowledged the discrepancies but deferred responsibility to the Division of Budget, stating that SED intends to work with impacted districts. Chairwoman Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) requested that SED verify the accuracy of the disputed calculations. NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks testified that the city has achieved significant progress under mayoral control, including a 12 percentage point increase in math test scores and nearly 3 percentage points in ELA, the first enrollment increase in eight years, and the launch of NYC Reads, a comprehensive literacy initiative addressing the fact that 51 percent of NYC students were not reading on grade level. However, Banks warned of challenges ahead, including a $1 billion stimulus funding cliff and estimated costs of $1.6 to $1.9 billion to comply with the class size mandate. NYSED Commissioner Nilda Rosa defended the state's science of reading approach, emphasizing it is based on over 50 years of research and focuses on teacher professional development rather than specific vendor curricula. She also reported that the mayoral control study, conducted on a volunteer basis without dedicated funding, will deliver its final report by March 31st, with hearings completed across all NYC boroughs. Assemblywoman Helene Walsh raised concerns about the zero-emissions school bus mandate beginning in 2027, stating she has not spoken with anyone who believes it is achievable or affordable by that date. Multiple lawmakers also advocated for restoration of proposed cuts to the Summer School of the Arts and the statewide Summer Reading program, which would eliminate funding to 23 public library systems. The hearing, held before the Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Education Committee, highlighted deep divisions over school funding priorities and the accuracy of state aid calculations as the Legislature prepares to negotiate the final budget. NEW YORK — The New York City Public Schools defended its 2024-2025 budget proposal at a joint legislative hearing Thursday, with Chancellor David Banks asserting that recent midyear adjustments were enrollment-based 'rightsizing' rather than cuts, even as state senators pressed him on the looming federal funding cliff and class size compliance. Banks told the Senate Finance Committee that nearly 60 percent of schools saw budget increases in the midyear adjustments, with the overall changes putting $100 million more into school budgets than they took out. Deputy Chancellor Emma Vadehra added that the department has allocated $130 million this year for asylum-seeking students and $214 million from Foundation Aid increases, while also funding teacher and principal salary increases. But Sen. John Liu, chair of the Senate Education Committee, expressed skepticism about the department's preparedness, noting that the administration knew federal stimulus funding would expire when taking office two years ago. He pressed Banks on specific cost-saving measures and challenged the timeline for class size compliance, arguing the department should begin taking action now rather than waiting until Year 3 of the five-year phase-in. Banks acknowledged that overcrowded classes remain a problem and stated the department needs to hire 10,000 to 12,000 additional teachers to comply with class size reduction mandates, at an estimated cost of $1.5 billion to $2 billion — a significant increase from the $500 million to $1 billion estimate provided a year ago. Sen. Shelley Mayer questioned the Chancellor on the Governor's proposed Foundation Aid formula change, which would cost NYC $131.9 million in expected funding. She pressed for details on how the department plans to protect critical services like social workers, pre-K, and special education as federal funding ends, and noted that budgets appear subject to political pressure. Banks outlined new initiatives including Bard College Early College High Schools in the South Bronx and Brooklyn, a Motion Picture Tech High School, and a Health Careers High School with Northwell Health. He also detailed the department's response to antisemitism and Islamophobia in schools, including professional development training and a faith-based advisory council. Sen. Chu raised concerns about school librarian shortages, noting only 265 certified librarians serve 1,600 NYC schools, and highlighted Brooklyn Tech High School's inadequate library capacity of 100 students for a 6,000-student enrollment. The hearing underscored tensions between the department's claims of increased funding and legislators' concerns about service cuts, federal funding losses, and unfulfilled mandates for class size reduction. NEW YORK — The New York State Senate Finance Committee held a joint legislative hearing on the 2024-2025 executive budget for elementary and secondary education on February 1, with NYC Public Schools Chancellor David Banks facing pointed questions about class-size implementation, federal funding cliffs, and charter school costs. Chancellor Banks defended the administration's approach to meeting the state's class-size reduction mandate, which requires 20% compliance annually over five years. He acknowledged that 400 to 500 schools will need additional classroom space, with some schools like Francis Lewis High School in Queens requiring 78 new classrooms. The administration has convened a working group and is conducting a systemwide space survey, but Banks warned of significant tradeoffs: schools may need to eliminate 3-K programs, arts classes, and counseling services to free up space for additional classrooms. Sen. Robert Jackson raised concerns about the administration's handling of a class-size working group, suggesting it was elevating a minority report from seven members over recommendations from 40-plus majority members. First Deputy Chancellor Dan Weisberg denied bias, stating the administration is "lifting up" majority recommendations. Sen. Cordell Cleare highlighted a persistent fiscal burden: New York City is the only school district in the state required to pay charter school rent and does not receive charter transition aid. COO Melissa Vadehra confirmed this costs the city an estimated $258 million in fiscal year 2023 and has deprived the DOE of $2.6 billion since 2011. Sen. Brisport pressed Banks on whether he would support the "Invest in Our New York" tax-the-rich legislation to fund education and avoid cuts to federal stimulus-funded programs. Banks declined to commit, saying he would "weigh in at the appropriate time." Chairwoman Liz Krueger focused on long-term planning, urging the DOE to coordinate with city planning on zoning and residential conversion to ensure new schools are built alongside new housing. She also questioned whether the administration is adequately addressing vocational education, which she said had been neglected. Banks highlighted new career pathway schools, including a Health Careers High School opening in Long Island City in partnership with Northwell Health, and Bard Early College schools in the Bronx and Brooklyn, positioning them as modern alternatives to traditional vocational education. The hearing revealed tensions between the administration's budget constraints and competing priorities: class-size compliance, federal funding cliffs, charter school costs, and enrichment programs. Multiple legislators expressed frustration that schools are being forced to choose between meeting class-size mandates and maintaining arts, counseling, and early childhood programs. NEW YORK — A joint legislative hearing on the 2024-2025 Executive Budget for elementary and secondary education revealed sharp divisions between the Cuomo administration's education priorities and concerns from school leaders and unions over funding cuts and implementation challenges. NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks defended mayoral control and the city's handling of 35,000 migrant students, characterizing the influx as beneficial since NYC had lost 150,000 students over five years. However, union leaders and administrator representatives challenged the administration's commitment to key initiatives, particularly the new class-size law. Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, alleged the city is making strategic cuts to schools while building a case to avoid class-size law compliance. He cited $800 million in cuts on the table for April and claimed over $2.5 billion has been reappropriated from capital and facilities funds since the law's passage. "I judge people by their actions," Mulgrew said, suggesting the city is "purposely set up not to be in compliance with the law." Rosemarie Sinclair of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators reported that hundreds of principals lack funding to hire the teachers required by the class-size law or space to create additional classes. "Reduced class sizes without additional funding will force school leaders to cut resources from extracurricular activities, valuable enrichment and/or intervention programs," she testified. Melinda Person of New York State United Teachers opposed the Executive Budget's proposed $419 million in Foundation Aid cuts, calling them "unnecessary" and affecting every school district statewide. Sen. John Liu pressed the chancellor on mixed messaging, noting that while Banks said the city needs to hire 10,000 to 12,000 teachers for class-size compliance, principals report receiving no additional funding. "There's clearly a mixed message or at least cross-signals going on here," Liu said. The hearing, held before the Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee on February 1, highlighted the tension between the administration's education agenda and the fiscal realities facing schools implementing new mandates without corresponding budget increases. Education union leaders and school administrators testified before the New York State Senate Finance Committee on February 1, 2024, expressing strong bipartisan opposition to the Governor's proposed 2024-2025 budget cuts to elementary and secondary education, warning the reductions could force school closures, program eliminations, and teacher layoffs. Representatives from the United Federation of Teachers, New York State United Teachers, and the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators urged lawmakers to reject the proposed cuts and instead invest in community schools expansion and teacher retention initiatives. The groups requested a $100 million categorical grant program to double the number of community schools statewide, arguing that each dollar invested leverages over $6 in returned services to students and families. Ms. Person of NYSUT highlighted a critical teacher shortage, noting that the Chancellor said 10,000 to 12,000 additional teachers must be hired by 2027 to meet class size requirements. She cited the Tier 6 pension structure as a major barrier to recruitment and retention, requiring 40 years of service compared to 30 years for earlier tiers. Mr. Mulgrew of UFT emphasized that New York City's CTE programs achieve a 91 percent graduation rate—10 points higher than academic programs—and warned that proposed cuts could eliminate these high-performing pathways. Senators Jackson, Murray, Cleare, and O'Mara joined in bipartisan criticism of the budget proposal. Sen. Jackson called the cuts "devastating" and urged unified opposition. Sen. Murray warned that cuts could result in teacher losses rather than hiring. Sen. Cleare raised the issue of charter school funding inequities, citing Education Law Center data showing NYC has paid $258 million in charter rent in FY'23 alone and $2.6 billion since 2011—costs no other district bears. The panel also discussed Foundation Aid formula reform, with testifiers noting that 20 years of new data on student needs should inform updated weights for students with IEPs, newcomers, and homeless students. Sen. Mayer noted the Senate Majority backed a $1 million study on Foundation Aid reform and pledged continued support for the initiative. Sen. O'Mara characterized the budget proposal as an unprecedented buyback, comparing it to a "mosh pit" rather than typical budget negotiations. The hearing underscored deep concern across both chambers about the proposal's impact on schools and educators. NEW YORK — The state's largest urban school districts warned lawmakers on Thursday that the Governor's proposed changes to the Foundation Aid formula would devastate high-need districts serving the state's poorest and most vulnerable students, as federal pandemic relief funding expires this fall. Testifying before a joint legislative committee on the 2024-2025 Executive Budget, superintendents and education officials from Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers, and Albany painted a dire fiscal picture. The districts collectively serve roughly 50 percent of the state's students, including disproportionate numbers of special education students, English language learners, and homeless children. The Governor's proposal to eliminate save-harmless provisions and reduce the inflation factor in the Foundation Aid formula would cut Syracuse by approximately $6 million, Buffalo faces a $50 million budget hole from the loss of $90 million in federal stimulus funding, and Rochester will lose $1.2 million in health services grants, according to testimony. "This retreat from full funding, coupled with the impending exhaustion of federal grant funds, would have dire consequences," said Jennifer Pyle, executive director of the Conference of Big 5 School Districts. The districts also raised alarm about charter school saturation. In Buffalo, charter schools represent $178 million in expenditures and serve 34 percent of school-age children, while Rochester spends $135 million annually on charter tuition despite charter schools serving only 8 percent of special education students compared to the district's 21 percent rate. Senators expressed strong opposition to the Governor's approach. "We collectively killed ourselves to get full funding of Foundation Aid," said Sen. Shelley Mayer, questioning the real impacts of the proposed cuts. Sen. John Liu called the 10-year average inflation redefinition "an arbitrary way to cut the budget" and said the Legislature would "fight very forcefully" against it. The districts also highlighted emerging crises: Yonkers reported a 283 percent increase in one-to-one aide positions since 2022 (from 81 to 310 FTE) and faces an $87 million budget deficit. Albany's English language learner enrollment has surged 150 percent since 2020. Syracuse, ranked second nationally for child poverty, will lose 225 federally-funded positions worth $22 million when stimulus funds expire in September. The hearing, held before the Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Education Committee, underscored the tension between the Legislature's commitment to full Foundation Aid funding and the Governor's proposed formula changes that would reduce aid to the districts most dependent on state support. New York State legislators heard urgent testimony on Wednesday about the devastating impact of the Governor's proposed 2024-2025 education budget, which would cut $400 million in school aid statewide and affect half of all school districts in the state. At a joint Senate-Assembly Finance Committee hearing on the executive budget for elementary and secondary education, advocates for special education schools, Independent Living Centers, and school districts warned of cascading consequences: teacher layoffs, program eliminations, and the loss of critical services for vulnerable students. Sen. Robert Jackson (D-Manhattan) delivered an impassioned statement opposing the cuts, calling them "huge" and "not a small piece of the pie." He urged unified legislative action and warned that legislators who fail to restore funding "won't get reelected, because you're not representing them." The most contentious issue centered on the expiration of federal COVID-19 stimulus funds. Randi Levine, policy director of Advocates for Children of New York, testified that New York City alone is using approximately $1 billion in federal funds this year to support long-term education programs that existed before the pandemic and remain critical. These include 450 newly hired school social workers, 60 school psychologists, expanded 3-K enrollment, and services for homeless and immigrant students. Without state replacement funding, she warned, "each of these programs could be significantly rolled back or eliminated five months from today." Sen. Tony Liu drew a parallel to the state's recent MTA bailout, suggesting the Legislature should use similar intervention to help school districts. Testifiers also highlighted chronic underfunding in specialized education sectors. Tim Kelly, superintendent of St. Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo, noted that teachers at schools serving deaf, blind, and physically disabled students leave for public school positions paying $12,000 to $25,000 more annually. He requested a $30 million, three-year initiative to increase salaries. John Lopez, president of the New York State Coalition of 853 Schools, raised concerns about the implementation of interim rate increases, noting that some schools effectively received 5 percent cuts when prior-year increases were dropped before new increases could be applied. He also flagged a unique problem: the state treats Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness as offsetting revenue only in the special education sector, significantly diminishing school rates. Lindsay Miller, executive director of the New York Association on Independent Living, requested a modest $2 million increase in funding for 41 state-supported Independent Living Centers—less than $50,000 per center—and inclusion in the human services cost-of-living adjustment. She noted that ILCs have saved the state more than $2 billion since 2001 by transitioning people from institutional to community-based care. Assemblyman Benedetto and other legislators expressed frustration with the budget proposal, with Benedetto noting the irony that schools lose funding when they cannot fill teacher positions, then face compliance violations for being understaffed. The hearing underscored deep bipartisan concern about education funding, with both Democratic and Republican legislators expressing unified opposition to the proposed cuts. The Legislature will now negotiate with the Governor's office over the final budget. NEW YORK — School administrators, board members, and parent advocates delivered scathing testimony Wednesday against the Governor's proposed 2024-2025 budget, warning that Foundation Aid cuts totaling $167 million would devastate 337 school districts across the state and eliminate a decades-old protection against year-to-year funding reductions. The joint legislative hearing on elementary and secondary education revealed the scope of the proposed cuts: 61 districts would lose at least 20 percent of Foundation Aid; 90 districts would lose at least $1,000 per student; and 125 districts would receive less aid than they did five years ago. The proposal is more than $400 million below full funding of the Foundation Aid formula, according to the New York State School Boards Association. Robert Lowry, deputy director of the New York State Council of School Superintendents, testified that the budget marks an abrupt policy reversal after the Legislature achieved full funding of Foundation Aid. "Half the state's school districts would experience year-to-year cuts in Foundation Aid, not just smaller increases," Lowry said, adding that close to a fifth of districts would see cuts of 10 percent or more. Kyle Belokopitsky, executive director of the New York State Parent Teacher Association, representing 225,000 members and 2.6 million schoolchildren, called the cuts "shocking" and warned they would cause "irreparable harm to some of our most vulnerable students." He cited specific examples: Andes faces a 46 percent cut; Putnam and Edinburgh each face 48 percent cuts; Mount Vernon faces a $2.9 million reduction. Brian Cechnicki of the Association of School Business Officials highlighted a secondary crisis: the state owes $305 million to districts in prior-year adjustments, including $132 million to New York City. At current payment rates, districts could wait 17 years—and NYC 19 years—to receive funds owed to them. Dave Little of the Rural Schools Association criticized the Governor for cutting aid to rural districts after the state failed to support them during the Great Recession. "For the Governor now to have the gall to say that those people who are doing the hard work of staying...we're going to give your kids less money to try and pursue their future in New York State—is disingenuous and untoward," Little testified. Sen. Shelley Mayer raised questions about enrollment decline and school district reserves, suggesting structural issues may justify some reductions. But other legislators signaled strong opposition. Sen. Jackson called for organized constituent pressure to restore funding, while Assemblyman Smith warned that school business officials are "literally freaking out" about the timeline for budget planning, with districts potentially forced to plan for layoffs before the state budget is finalized. The hearing, held before the Senate Finance Committee, revealed deep concerns about the practical impact of the cuts. School leaders testified they would be forced to eliminate literacy support, arts and music programs, mental health services, and STEM programs. One school leader quoted by the PTA said: "Our cut is 40 percent. I really don't have a solution that doesn't truly hurt our entire program. I saw the runs and I cried." The testimony underscored a broader frustration: after years of fighting for full Foundation Aid funding, which the Court of Appeals affirmed was the state's constitutional obligation, the Legislature now faces pressure to defend that achievement against the Governor's proposed rollback. NEW YORK STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARS TESTIMONY ON 2024-2025 EDUCATION BUDGET; ADVOCATES SEEK BILLIONS IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR LIBRARIES, SCHOOL MEALS, AND TRANSPORTATION Albany — The New York State Senate Finance Committee held a joint legislative hearing on February 1, 2024, examining the Governor's 2024-2025 Executive Budget proposal for elementary and secondary education, with testimony revealing significant funding shortfalls across multiple education sectors and infrastructure challenges that threaten implementation of state mandates. Advocates for school meals presented the most urgent case, with representatives from the Healthy School Meals for All New York Kids Coalition and the New York School Nutrition Association requesting an additional $90.4 million to close the gap on universal free school meals. While last year's legislative investment provided free meals to 347,000 newly eligible students, 320,000 students across 660 schools remain excluded, primarily in high cost-of-living areas like Long Island and the Hudson Valley. Patrick Kenneally, a school lunch director and public policy chair for the nutrition association, characterized the current 88 percent coverage rate as unacceptable, stating "Anything short of an A+ is a shortchange of our children." Jessica Pino-Goodspeed noted that families earning $56,000 annually—far below a living wage—are deemed over-income for assistance in some districts, perpetuating stigma and food insecurity affecting one in six New York children. Library advocates presented a stark picture of three decades of underfunding. Maxwell Prime of the New York Library Association requested $147.1 million for State Library Aid and $69.4 million for Construction Aid, noting that the Governor's proposal falls short of statutory requirements and that the Division of Library Development estimates a $1.75 billion statewide construction need. Over half of New York's libraries are more than 60 years old, and Library Materials Aid has remained flat at $6.25 per pupil for 17 years despite the average hardcover book costing $26.25. School bus contractors and transportation officials raised serious concerns about the feasibility of the state's electric bus mandate. Thomas Smith, president of the New York School Bus Contractors Association, testified that electric buses cost three times more than diesel vehicles and that infrastructure costs—including electrical substations—can reach $30 million per school district. While supporting the transition, Smith and David Christopher of the New York Association for Pupil Transportation urged the Legislature to establish pilot programs and revisit the 2035 implementation deadline. Christopher also highlighted a critical bus driver shortage and requested renewal of the state retirement earnings cap waiver, set to expire in June, which allows retired state employees to continue working in transportation roles. Chairwoman Liz Krueger expressed skepticism about the Governor's budget figures, stating "I think those numbers are wrong" and requesting detailed data from testifiers to use in negotiations. Senator Dean Murray called the school meals funding gap "disgraceful," while Senator Shelley Mayer pressed contractors on federal funding clarity under the Inflation Reduction Act, noting that contractors lack sufficient information about which expenses will be covered. Dr. Amy DelCorvo of the New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education requested less than $2 million to continue a professional development program for teachers that was funded through federal CARES Act money, noting thousands of educators have requested continued access to free online courses eligible for required certification credits. The hearing underscored tensions between the Legislature's desire to fund education adequately and the Governor's budget constraints, with advocates and lawmakers emphasizing that piecemeal funding approaches leave critical needs unmet across libraries, student nutrition, and transportation infrastructure. NEW YORK — Advocates for nonpublic schools, charter schools, and education programs urged state legislators on Thursday to reject key elements of Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2024-2025 education budget, citing funding inequities and the expiration of critical federal pandemic relief programs. The most urgent plea came from representatives of nonpublic schools, who testified that hate crimes have surged 330 percent since October 7th, forcing Jewish and Islamic schools to dramatically increase security spending. Sydney Altfield, representing 370,000 nonpublic school students, said schools have raised security costs by 47 percent on average, with some charging parents an additional $750 in tuition and others cutting arts and music programs to pay for guards. She requested that the state double the Nonpublic Schools Safety Equipment grant from $45 million to $90 million. Rabbi Silber of Agudath Israel added that nonpublic schools serve 15 percent of the state's student population but receive less than 2 percent of education funding. He also flagged a 4 percent shortfall in Mandated Services Aid reimbursement, though he noted the Governor's budget includes $234 million to cover the two-year gap. Charter school advocates highlighted persistent funding inequities. James Merriman of the New York City Charter School Center noted that 142,000 students now attend NYC charter schools—including more than one-third of Black kindergartners—yet a 2017 study found per-pupil funding gaps of $1,000 to $5,000 compared to traditional public schools. He urged the Legislature to phase in rental assistance for non-collocated charter schools. Advocates also warned of a looming crisis as federal COVID-19 stimulus funding expires in September. Chelsea Baytemur, representing a coalition of 160 organizations, said the New York City Department of Education alone spent approximately $1 million annually on stimulus-funded programs, including hiring 450 social workers, expanding community schools from 266 to 421, and hiring 60 school psychologists. She urged substantial state funding to sustain these programs. Marina Marcou-O'Malley of the Alliance for Quality Education opposed the Governor's proposal to change the Consumer Price Index adjustment and eliminate the save-harmless provision in Foundation Aid, noting that 50 percent of the cuts would hit high-needs districts educating 80 percent of Black and brown students and English language learners. Chairwoman Liz Krueger raised concerns about $200 million remaining unspent from the 2014 Smart Schools Bond Act, questioning why the funds had not been distributed to schools a decade later. Sen. Tom O'Mara pressed witnesses on electric school bus implementation, noting that utility companies report transformer installation can take up to 18 months and cost school districts $10 million or more. He questioned whether it made sense for districts to fund the most expensive part of the technology curve before costs decline. The hearing, held before the Senate Finance Committee, reflected broad legislative skepticism of the Governor's budget proposal on education. NEW YORK — Advocates for education reform testified before the state Legislature's joint budget hearing on elementary and secondary education Thursday, with a particular focus on accountability for underperforming yeshivas and the need for expanded literacy instruction and community school funding. Beatrice Weber, executive director of YAFFED, an organization advocating for education quality in Hasidic schools, told lawmakers that between 60,000 and 80,000 students across New York State attend yeshivas that are not providing sound basic education. She noted that many high school students in these schools are functionally illiterate in English and called for culturally responsive support services to help students catch up academically. Weber said regulations voted on in September 2022 are rolling out with mixed success, with some schools improving while others have made clear they will not cooperate. Jeff Smink of Education Trust requested $20 million in additional funding to expand professional learning for elementary teachers and provide grants for evidence-based reading instruction resources. He cited research showing 85 percent of incarcerated individuals are illiterate, underscoring the connection between reading proficiency and future outcomes. Trudy Morgan Tetteh of the New York State Community School Network requested $100 million in categorical aid for community schools, while Chelsea Baytemur represented the YMCA of Greater New York and the Emergency Coalition to Save Education Programs, which includes 160 organizations. Sen. Jackson raised concerns about institutions falsely certifying they provide holistic education while receiving state funds, characterizing such practices as potential fraud. Chair Krueger defended YAFFED against antisemitism accusations, confirming that the Board of Regents has validated concerns about underperforming yeshivas and emphasizing the need for accountability to prevent generational poverty. The hearing, held Feb. 1, was the final panel in the Legislature's 2024 education budget hearings.