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Q&A
Education funding cliff and concerns over program continuity
0:31:27
ยท
164 sec
Speaker Adams raises concerns about the education funding cliff, particularly for programs previously funded by federal COVID relief funds. She asks why OMB didn't baseline these funds in the preliminary plan for fiscal year 2026. Director Jiha acknowledges the challenge of finding resources to continue critical programs as stimulus funds expire.
- $485 million in city funds for various education programs were not included in the FY 2026 preliminary plan
- Programs at risk include New York City school support services, arts in schools, restorative justice, and early childhood education initiatives
- OMB is working to find resources to keep critical programs going but faces a tough financial environment
Adrienne Adams
0:31:27
Very good.
0:31:30
The council, as you know, is most focused on entitlement programs like head start housing vouchers and snap benefits.
0:31:38
So we hope that, you know, we are indeed keeping those things in mind as we proceed.
0:31:43
And looking at the education funding cliff, last year the council pushed for the inclusion of funding to replace expiring federal COVID relief funds that were being used to fund a number of programs at DOE.
0:31:54
The administration provided $247,000,000 in fiscal year twenty twenty five only.
0:32:01
This includes $154,000,000 for New York City school support services, $41,000,000 for arts in schools, and $12,000,000 for restorative justice.
0:32:12
Additionally, a total of $197,000,000 in one time city funding was provided was provided for early childhood education which includes $112,000,000 for three k, 20 five million dollars for the extended day pilot, $55,000,000 for preschool special education classes, and $5,000,000 for marketing and outreach.
0:32:35
Other crucial programs that have consistently been funded on a year by year basis including the mental health continuum and community schools totaling $41,000,000.
0:32:45
This is a total of $485,000,000 in city funds.
0:32:50
These funds were not included in the preliminary plan for fiscal year 2026.
0:32:56
The administration should fund and baseline these programs in the executive plan.
0:33:02
Why didn't OMB baseline these funds requested by the council in last year's budget?
Jacques Jiha
0:33:08
As you can see, madam speaker, we have a lot on our plate.
0:33:13
While we're trying to protect our revenue stream, at the same time we have to find resources to keep some critical program going because these programs were funded with stimulus funds.
0:33:26
So we're working every day looking for sources of revenues to make sure that those critical programs continue.
0:33:38
But as I said, this is a very tough environment.
0:33:41
It's tough for everyone because we're playing defensive on everywhere.
0:33:46
Okay?
0:33:46
While we're protecting, we're trying to protect our revenue stream from the actions taken by the new administration.
0:33:52
At the same time, we have to continue to look for resources to fund those programs.
0:33:58
And as I said, we will continue to work with you and your staff as we get closer to adoption.
0:34:04
We know these programs are criticals, act very critical, and working very hard to make sure that there is funding available for them.