New York State is on the verge of fully funding 100 percent of Foundation Aid for the first time since its creation. The promised 3 year phase-in will be delivered in the enacted budget when it is finalized in just over a week.
If we want Foundation Aid to have its intended impact, we have more work to do. Governor Hochul is pushing for a massive expansion of charter schools in New York City, which would siphon off the school aid increase. And New York City public and charter schools are both struggling with enrollment declines due to fewer school age children living in New York City. Last week, two New York City charter schools asked the Board of Regents to modify their charter due to inability to meet enrollment targets.
There is NO reason for increasing the number of charter schools in NYC. Email your State Legislators and Governor Hochul now, and tell them to make certain that lifting the charter cap and reauthorizing failed “zombie charters,” stays out of the state budget.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie must hold the line so the Governor’s proposal to lift the charter cap and reauthorize failed “zombie charters” stays out of the budget.