NY budget deal would keep Mamdani in control of NYC schools - and boost funding for needy students

Mayor Zohran Mamdani will retain control of New York City’s public schools through June 2028 under state legislation. The governance system lets the mayor appoint the majority of the school board, select the school system’s leader, and set district policy direction. The extension does not include changes that would shift power away from the mayor, unlike prior budget deals that added parent-representing board members and limited the mayor’s ability to remove appointees. The state budget, seven weeks late, also increases funding by $143 million for homeless students, students in foster care, and English language learners. The agreement between Gov. Kathy Hochul and state legislative leaders is expected to receive approval.

"Mayor Zohran Mamdani will retain control of New York City’s public schools through June 2028, less than the four-year extension the mayor and Hochul pushed for. The governance system gives the mayor power to pick the majority of the school board, appoint the school system's leader, and set the policy direction of the district. The extension did not come with any tweaks to the city's school board to shift the balance of power away from the mayor - a break from prior budget deals."

"Previously, state lawmakers added board members who represent parents and limited the mayor's power to remove his own appointees, among other changes. (The mayor still appoints a majority of the board.) Extending the status quo is notable because Mamdani campaigned on overhauling mayoral control to give families and educators more power, but he backtracked just before taking office and has since lobbied state lawmakers to keep the system in place."

"The state will boost funding for homeless students, those in foster care, and English language learners, sending $143 million more to New York City's public schools. Those measures are part of the state budget, which is seven weeks late. The agreement, reached between Gov. Kathy Hochul and the leaders of the state Senate and Assembly, is expected to win approval from state lawmakers."

"Mayoral control is often treated as a bargaining chip in negotiations between the mayor and Albany, and the two-year extension means Mamdani will have to persuade state lawmakers to extend his power halfway through his first term. That will give lawmakers an opportunity to examine the mayor's education ag"

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