Q&A
Funding for special education services in pre-K programs
1:53:32
ยท
56 sec
Council Member Shahana Hanif inquires about the city's plan to continue funding special education services for pre-K programs after FY 2025, given that the additional $55 million in city tax levy for FY 2025 was not baselined. Jessica Wallenstein from the DOE responds to the funding concerns.
- $16 million was baselined to replace stimulus funding for CPSE administrators and some related service providers on the itinerant team.
- Another $40 million was baselined for the preschool special education enhancement contract.
- The $55 million allocation mentioned by Council Member Hanif was only for the current year.
- The DOE is in consistent communication with partners in city hall and OMB about the need for that money to persist beyond the current fiscal year.
Shahana Hanif
1:53:32
DOE provides special education services for pre k programs.
1:53:35
And in f y 2025, the city added $55,000,000 in city tax levy, but this funding was not baseline.
1:53:46
Could you share what the city's plan is to continue to fund the special education services for pre k, after f y 2025 and ensure that students in pre k continue to receive their mandated services?
Jessica Wallenstein
1:54:00
So first, I wanna acknowledge that 16,000,000, was baseline to replace stimulus funding for CPSC administrators and some related service providers on our itinerant team, and another 40,000,000 was baseline for the preschool special education enhancement contract.
1:54:15
You're correct.
1:54:16
The 55,000,000 allocation was just for this year, and we're in consistent communication with our partners, in city hall and OMB about the need for that money to persist.
Shahana Hanif
1:54:26
This is very important.
1:54:27
Thank you.