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New York City Council

Committee on Education

Mar 13, 2025

·

10:00 AM

11 hr 42 min

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Summary

A hearing on the fiscal 2026 preliminary budget for New York City Public Schools and the School Construction Authority's capital plan.

Discussions focused on class size reduction compliance, funding for essential education programs, special education services, mental health support, and infrastructure improvements.

Key issues included potential federal and state funding cuts, the need to baseline critical programs, challenges in preschool special education, and initiatives for restorative justice and immigrant student support.

Features testimony from the Department of Education, School Construction Authority, and the public, including students, parents, educators, and community organizations.

Meeting chapters

Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.

REMARKS

Council Member Rita Joseph welcomes attendees and introduces the budget hearing

Council Member Rita Joseph opens the fiscal 2026 preliminary budget hearing for the committee on education. She welcomes attendees, including students from PS 270 DeKalb School, and introduces herself as …

0:00:24

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30 sec

REMARKS

Overview of the Department of Education's budget and workforce size

Council Member Rita Joseph provides an overview of the Department of Education's budget and workforce size for fiscal year 2026. She emphasizes the DOE's significant share of the city's overall …

0:00:55

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65 sec

REMARKS

Challenges and uncertainties in education funding at federal and state levels

Council Member Rita Joseph outlines several challenges and uncertainties facing education funding at both the federal and state levels. She expresses concern over potential cuts and changes that could impact …

0:02:01

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96 sec

REMARKS

Compliance requirements for the class size reduction law

Council Member Rita Joseph addresses the upcoming requirements for compliance with the class size reduction law. She emphasizes the need for dedicated efforts to meet these requirements. - New York …

0:03:37

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18 sec

REMARKS

Crucial programs at risk in the mayor's budget and ongoing recovery needs

Council Member Rita Joseph highlights several crucial programs that are at risk in the mayor's budget and emphasizes the ongoing recovery needs of schools post-COVID. She stresses the importance of …

0:03:55

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85 sec

REMARKS

Efforts to stabilize and improve the early childhood education system

Council Member Rita Joseph discusses the council's efforts to stabilize and improve the early childhood education system in New York City. She acknowledges progress made but emphasizes that significant work …

0:05:21

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63 sec

REMARKS

Funding concerns for preschool special education seats

Council Member Rita Joseph raises concerns about the funding for preschool special education seats in the upcoming budget. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining the city's commitment to these services. …

0:06:25

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36 sec

REMARKS

Council's responsibility and expectations for the budget hearing

Council Member Rita Joseph concludes her opening remarks by emphasizing the council's responsibility in ensuring a fair, transparent, and accountable city budget. She outlines expectations for the hearing and future …

0:07:02

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73 sec

REMARKS

Public Advocate addresses expiration of federal relief funding and budget concerns

Public Advocate Williams discusses the expiration of federal relief funding for schools and the city's response to maintain crucial programs. He highlights concerns about long-term funding for certain programs that …

0:08:34

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29 sec

REMARKS

Public Advocate highlights concerns about special education and preschool services

Public Advocate Williams expresses serious concerns about the city's failure to provide adequate special education services, particularly for preschoolers with disabilities. He emphasizes the legal obligation to provide these services …

0:09:03

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44 sec

REMARKS

Public Advocate discusses support for undocumented students and asylum seekers

Public Advocate Williams emphasizes the importance of providing services and support for undocumented students and newly arrived New Yorkers. He discusses the Promise NYC program and its funding, highlighting the …

0:09:49

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60 sec

REMARKS

Public Advocate addresses need for improved school accessibility

Public Advocate Williams highlights the lack of accessibility in New York City schools for students with disabilities. He cites statistics and legal requirements, calling for significant investment to improve school …

0:10:49

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37 sec

REMARKS

Public Advocate discusses mental health services and funding in schools

Public Advocate Williams emphasizes the importance of mental health services in schools and highlights the current shortcomings in staffing and funding. He calls for increased investment in school-based mental health …

0:11:28

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45 sec

REMARKS

Public Advocate concludes with remarks on funding priorities and additional concerns

Public Advocate Williams concludes his address by emphasizing the importance of proper funding for education and youth services. He touches on broader issues related to city funding priorities and the …

0:12:13

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69 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Introduction and background of Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos

Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos introduces herself and provides an overview of her nearly two-decade career in education. She highlights her progression from a high school English teacher to various leadership roles …

0:14:57

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137 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

NYC Public Schools' key initiatives: NYC Reads, NYC Solves, and Student Pathways

Chancellor Aviles-Ramos outlines the key initiatives of NYC Public Schools, focusing on NYC Reads, NYC Solves, and Student Pathways. She emphasizes the importance of these programs in improving student outcomes …

0:17:15

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135 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Chancellor's three commitments: An overview

Chancellor Aviles-Ramos introduces her three key commitments as prerequisites for learning and to amplify the impact of instructional work in NYC Public Schools. - The three commitments are: ensuring safety …

0:19:30

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22 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Safety, wellness, and support for immigrant and LGBTQ+ students

Chancellor Aviles-Ramos outlines various programs and initiatives aimed at ensuring safety and wellness in schools, with a particular focus on supporting immigrant and LGBTQ+ students. - Highlights programs such as …

0:19:52

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107 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Educator support and professional development initiatives

Chancellor Aviles-Ramos details the Department of Education's efforts to support and uplift educators, particularly in implementing new initiatives like NYC Reads and Solves. - Highlights the provision of unprecedented levels …

0:21:40

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43 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Family and community engagement initiatives

Chancellor Aviles-Ramos outlines efforts to empower parents, families, and communities in the education process. - Announces the creation of a new division of family, community, and student empowerment - Highlights …

0:22:24

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27 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Summer programming and its impact on student learning

Chancellor Aviles-Ramos highlights the success and importance of the summer programming offered by NYC Public Schools. - Announces that applications are open for the upcoming summer program - Shares results …

0:22:51

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28 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Fiscal Year 2026 preliminary budget overview and financial challenges

Chancellor Aviles-Ramos provides an overview of the Fiscal Year 2026 preliminary budget for NYC Public Schools and highlights key financial challenges. - The total budget is approximately $41.2 billion, including …

0:23:20

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85 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Class size reduction compliance and associated costs

Chancellor Aviles-Ramos addresses the significant challenge of complying with the class size mandate and its financial implications. - Reports that over 46% of classes are currently at or below the …

0:24:46

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39 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Concerns about proposed changes to the Foundation Aid formula

Chancellor Aviles-Ramos expresses serious concerns about the governor's proposed changes to the Foundation Aid formula and other budget proposals that could impact NYC Public Schools. - Warns that proposed changes …

0:25:26

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42 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Request for advocacy on education funding at city, state, and federal levels

Chancellor Aviles-Ramos concludes her testimony by calling for continued advocacy from the City Council regarding education funding at various levels of government. - Requests support in advocating for city, state, …

0:26:09

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61 sec

REMARKS

Council Member Rita Joseph welcomes visiting students and acknowledges colleagues

Council Member Rita Joseph opens the session by welcoming fifth-grade students from PS 25 and PS 270 who are visiting City Hall. She emphasizes the importance of civic engagement for …

0:27:20

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23 sec

Q&A

Concerns about federal education funding cuts and current status of NYC public schools funding

Council Member Rita Joseph raises concerns about potential federal education funding cuts under the Trump administration and inquires about the current status of federal funding for NYC public schools. Emma …

0:27:48

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90 sec

Q&A

Analysis of potential impacts and breakdown of federal funding for NYC public schools

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about internal analysis of potential impacts of federal funding cuts on NYC public schools. Emma Vadehra provides a detailed breakdown of the federal funding sources …

0:29:24

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105 sec

Q&A

Contingency planning and impact of potential US Department of Education workforce cuts

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about contingency planning for potential federal funding cuts and the impact of reported workforce reductions at the US Department of Education. DOE officials discuss their …

0:31:09

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3 min

Q&A

Collaboration on research and the importance of federal data for NYC education policies

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the collaboration between NYC Public Schools and the US Department of Education on research and tracking outcomes. DOE officials discuss the importance of federal …

0:34:33

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110 sec

REMARKS

Advocacy for baseline funding of crucial education programs in NYC

Council Member Rita Joseph emphasizes the importance of baseline funding for crucial education programs in NYC, including those previously covered by federal stimulus dollars. The discussion highlights the council's priority …

0:36:25

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114 sec

Q&A

Discussion on Carter cases and special education costs

Council Member Lynn Schulman inquires about the average tuition costs for Carter and Connick case students over the past three fiscal years. DOE officials provide specific figures showing a significant …

0:38:41

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150 sec

Q&A

Expansion of special education programs in NYC public schools

Council Member Schulman advocates for replicating successful special education programs across the school system. DOE officials, including Chancellor Aviles-Ramos and Deputy Chancellor Foti, discuss the expansion of programs like Nest, …

0:41:11

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114 sec

Q&A

Expansion of hydroponic and sustainability programs in schools

Council Member Schulman inquires about the expansion of hydroponic planning and sustainability programs in collaboration with New York Sunworks. DOE officials express support for these initiatives and discuss their benefits …

0:43:05

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122 sec

Q&A

Discussion on foundation aid formula changes for special education funding

First Deputy Chancellor Weisberg explains the DOE's efforts to update the state foundation aid formula to better fund programs for students with disabilities. This change would allow for more rapid …

0:45:12

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45 sec

Q&A

Council Member Louis inquires about funding for counselors and support staff for migrant students

Council Member Farah Louis asks about additional funds allocated in the FY '26 budget for increasing the number of SAPIS counselors, guidance counselors, and family support staff trained to assist …

0:46:28

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70 sec

Q&A

DOE officials respond to questions about funding for counselors and support staff

DOE officials, including the CFO and Chancellor, respond to Council Member Louis's questions about funding for counselors and support staff. - The CFO states that SAPIS workers funding is about …

0:47:39

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64 sec

Q&A

Update on SAPIS workers in NYC public schools

Chief of Safety and Prevention Partnerships Mark Rampersant provides an update on the current status of SAPIS workers in NYC public schools. - There are 294 SAPIS workers positions throughout …

0:48:43

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61 sec

REMARKS

Introduction of the new Division of Family, Community, and Student Empowerment

Deputy Chancellor Cristina Melendez introduces the new Division of Family, Community, and Student Empowerment, explaining its purpose and goals. - The division aims to streamline stakeholders and leverage their expertise …

0:49:46

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46 sec

Q&A

Clarification on family enrichment centers and family welcome centers

Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos clarifies the difference between family enrichment centers, family welcome centers, and the new Division of Family, Community, and Student Empowerment. - Family welcome centers offer support for …

0:50:32

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101 sec

Q&A

Update on paraprofessional vacancies in NYC public schools

First Deputy Chancellor Daniel Weisberg provides information on paraprofessional vacancies in NYC public schools. - The latest number of paraprofessional vacancies is 1,459 out of about 24,000 total positions - …

0:52:13

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60 sec

REMARKS

Council Member Brooks-Powers asks about special education services, class size reduction, and COVID funding

Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers raises concerns about special education services, class size reduction compliance, and the expiration of federal COVID relief funds. She asks specific questions about funding allocations, …

0:53:24

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133 sec

Q&A

DOE officials respond to questions about special education services and hiring

DOE officials respond to Council Member Brooks-Powers' questions about special education services. Deputy Chancellor Christina Foti highlights recent improvements in service provision and new initiatives. - 469 new related service …

0:55:37

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137 sec

Q&A

CFO discusses baseline funding for programs previously funded by federal stimulus

Chief Financial Officer Seritta Scott addresses the question about sustaining programs after federal COVID relief funds expire. She outlines the current state of baseline funding and ongoing discussions with the …

0:57:56

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55 sec

Q&A

Deputy Chancellor explains efforts and challenges in class size compliance

Deputy Chancellor Emma Vadehra details the DOE's efforts to comply with class size reduction mandates, including space and staffing challenges, and outlines plans for the upcoming year. - Current compliance …

0:58:51

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143 sec

Q&A

Balancing class size compliance with preserving specialized educational spaces

Council members and DOE officials discuss the challenge of balancing class size compliance with maintaining specialized spaces like art rooms. Deputy Chancellor Vadehra explains the DOE's approach to space conversion …

1:01:16

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95 sec

Q&A

Chancellor offers to follow up on specific school space allocation issues

Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos offers to follow up offline on specific school space allocation issues raised during the discussion. She expresses a desire to understand the root problems faced by individual …

1:02:52

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44 sec

Q&A

Council member inquires about 3-K and UPK applications and marketing efforts

Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez questions DOE officials about the number of applicants for 3-K and UPK programs for the upcoming school year and the impact of increased marketing efforts. DOE …

1:03:39

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3 min

Q&A

Discussion on 3-K and UPK waitlist and placement process

Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez inquires about the DOE's plans to address waitlists for 3-K and UPK programs, referencing the previous year's approximately 2,000 waitlisted applicants. DOE officials explain the nuances …

1:07:09

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178 sec

REMARKS

Council Member Dinowitz thanks Chancellor for district presence and support for migrant students

Council Member Eric Dinowitz opens by thanking Chancellor Aviles-Ramos for her presence in his district and her support for migrant students. He emphasizes the importance of providing education to all …

1:10:11

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61 sec

Q&A

Discussion on high school literacy program and intervention strategies

Council Member Dinowitz inquires about a high school literacy pilot program in Queens South, focusing on credit issues and the need for literacy instruction at the high school level. Chancellor …

1:11:12

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118 sec

Q&A

Council Member Dinowitz requests metrics and financial data for high school literacy program

Council Member Dinowitz presses for specific information about the metrics used to measure the success of the high school literacy program and the financial investments made or needed to make …

1:13:10

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43 sec

Q&A

Clarification on intervention classes and credit accumulation for high school literacy

Chancellor Aviles-Ramos clarifies the DOE's stance on intervention classes and credit accumulation for high school literacy programs. Council Member Dinowitz and the Chancellor discuss the balance between providing necessary interventions …

1:13:53

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30 sec

Q&A

Follow-up on Queens South literacy program metrics and investments

Council Member Dinowitz presses for specific information about the metrics and financial investments in the Queens South high school literacy program. Dr. Pate and Chancellor Aviles-Ramos provide information on the …

1:14:25

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146 sec

Q&A

Head Start funding concerns and anticipated changes for FY '26

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the anticipated funding level for Head Start in FY '26 and potential changes or reductions in the executive budget. First Deputy Chancellor Daniel Weisberg …

1:16:55

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117 sec

Q&A

Current Head Start enrollment and vacancy concerns

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the current enrollment and vacancies in Head Start programs. DOE officials reveal that there are 3,793 enrolled students with nearly 2,000 vacant seats. - …

1:18:53

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118 sec

Q&A

Aging down strategy and reallocation of early childhood education seats

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the 'aging down' strategy and reallocation of seats in early childhood education programs. DOE officials explain that they are shifting focus from pre-K seats …

1:20:52

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174 sec

Q&A

DOE's decision-making process and CBO participation in ECE system

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about how the DOE arrived at their decisions for seat reallocation and about CBOs' participation in the ECE system. DOE officials explain that their decisions …

1:23:48

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84 sec

Q&A

Challenges in filling Head Start seats and future expansion plans

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about identifying areas where Head Start seats are not being filled and the challenges faced. The DOE official acknowledges that they have located these areas …

1:25:12

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58 sec

Q&A

Council member inquires about impact of federal funding cuts on school food programs

Council Member Mercedes Narcisse raises concerns about recent federal funding cuts to school food programs and asks how these cuts will affect the Department of Education's budget. Deputy Chancellor Emma …

1:26:47

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101 sec

Q&A

Discussion on school lunch menu development and incorporation of student feedback

Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about the process of developing school lunch menus and incorporating student feedback, based on concerns raised during her visit to PS 207. Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos …

1:28:30

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146 sec

Q&A

Initiatives for parent empowerment and support in special education

Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about funding and initiatives to empower parents and support families navigating the special education system. Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos and Deputy Chancellor Christina Foti outline the …

1:30:56

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137 sec

REMARKS

Council member emphasizes importance of mental health support for students

Council Member Mercedes Narcisse concludes her time by emphasizing the critical importance of mental health support for students, especially in light of the pandemic. Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos acknowledges the importance …

1:33:12

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28 sec

REMARKS

Status update on 3K and 4K RFP and Head Start grant recompetition

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the status of the new 3K and 4K Request for Proposals (RFP) and whether it will guarantee seats for those who need them. DOE …

1:33:43

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54 sec

Q&A

Current enrollment numbers for early childhood education programs

Council Member Rita Joseph requests current enrollment numbers for various early childhood education categories, comparing them to the previous year's figures. Monique Scales from the DOE provides detailed responses for …

1:34:37

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3 min

Q&A

Efforts to improve early childhood education access for families in shelters

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about efforts to improve access to early childhood education for families living in shelters. Monique Scales from the DOE outlines the initiatives undertaken to address …

1:38:16

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65 sec

Q&A

Addressing seat allocation issues and new RFP development

Council Member Rita Joseph raises concerns about the inability to move vacant seats between providers due to current contract structures and asks about the status of the new RFP to …

1:39:25

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157 sec

Q&A

Seat allocation process and addressing unmet demand

Council Member Rita Joseph questions the DOE about the seat allocation process under the new RFP and how they plan to address the issue of families not receiving seats. The …

1:42:03

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47 sec

REMARKS

Challenges and progress in matching families with preferred program choices

Daniel Weisberg, First Deputy Chancellor, provides a comprehensive explanation of the challenges and progress in matching families with their preferred early childhood education program choices. He discusses the goals, achievements, …

1:42:49

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137 sec

Q&A

Flexibility in new RFP for moving seats between providers

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the flexibility of the new RFP to move seats between providers, addressing a major concern raised by stakeholders. DOE officials respond, explaining their approach …

1:45:07

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40 sec

REMARKS

Need for agility in adapting to changing community needs

Daniel Weisberg, First Deputy Chancellor, emphasizes the importance of creating an agile system that can adapt to changing community needs in early childhood education. He provides examples and context for …

1:45:48

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43 sec

REMARKS

Council Member Brewer praises District 79's work with migrants and civics education program

Council Member Gale A. Brewer commends District 79 for their exceptional work with migrant students, highlighting the dedication of social workers and teachers. She also praises the civics education program, …

1:46:32

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35 sec

Q&A

Discussion on Special Commissioner of Investigations (SCI) staffing and budget concerns

Council Member Brewer raises concerns about the Special Commissioner of Investigations' (SCI) staffing and budget in relation to its workload. DOE officials respond, explaining their limited involvement in SCI's budget …

1:47:07

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173 sec

Q&A

Discussion on expanding school playground access during after-school hours and weekends

Council Member Brewer inquires about plans to expand the program that keeps school playgrounds open during after-school hours and weekends. DOE officials respond to questions about funding and criteria for …

1:50:00

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114 sec

Q&A

Concerns over water bottle filling stations in schools and OMB's Directive 10

Council Member Brewer raises concerns about the installation of water bottle filling stations in schools and the impact of OMB's reinterpretation of Directive 10. DOE officials respond to questions about …

1:51:54

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98 sec

Q&A

Plans for new early childhood education center (+1 972) opening in September 2025

Council Member Brewer inquires about plans for a new early childhood education center (+1 972) set to open in September 2025. DOE officials discuss ongoing planning and coordination efforts for …

1:53:32

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157 sec

REMARKS

Brief mention of early childhood education center at 1170 Flatbush Avenue

Council Member Rita Joseph briefly mentions another early childhood education center at 1170 Flatbush Avenue and arranges a walk-through of the facility. - Council Member Joseph expresses interest in doing …

1:56:10

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24 sec

REMARKS

Council Member Restler introduces the discussion and acknowledges DOE leadership

Council Member Lincoln Restler opens the discussion by thanking the DOE leadership for their presence and acknowledging the chair, Josie. He specifically mentions Chancellor Banks and expresses appreciation for their …

1:56:33

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13 sec

Q&A

Discussion on baselining critical investments and early childhood education budget cuts

Council Member Restler engages with DOE officials about baselining critical investments in education programs and addresses concerns about budget cuts to early childhood education. - Confirmation of DOE support for …

1:56:47

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37 sec

Q&A

Analysis of three-k and pre-k enrollment and application data

Council Member Restler analyzes recent enrollment and application data for three-k and pre-k programs, highlighting areas of concern and improvement. - Restler notes modest improvement in what he describes as …

1:57:26

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67 sec

Q&A

Discussion on ideal operating capacity for the three-k system

Council Member Restler inquires about the ideal operating capacity for the three-k system, leading to a discussion about enrollment challenges and metrics. - Restler asks if the ideal operating capacity …

1:58:32

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45 sec

Q&A

Challenges in offering convenient seat locations for three-k students

Council Member Restler addresses the issue of inconvenient seat locations for three-k students, highlighting the difficulties faced by families. - Restler points out that offering seats two miles away from …

1:59:17

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70 sec

Q&A

Discussion of capacity benchmarks and plans for seat reallocation

Council Member Restler and DOE officials discuss capacity benchmarks for the three-k system and plans for reallocating seats to meet demand in different school districts. - DOE officials state that …

2:00:27

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25 sec

Q&A

Issues with filling extended day/extended year seats for three-k and pre-k

Council Member Restler raises concerns about the low fill rates for extended day/extended year seats in both three-k and pre-k programs. - Restler points out that only about 50% of …

2:00:52

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73 sec

REMARKS

Criticism of DOE's outreach efforts and budget cuts for early childhood education

Council Member Restler criticizes the DOE's outreach efforts and recent budget cuts to early childhood education programs. - Restler argues that the low fill rates for extended day/year seats indicate …

2:02:06

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71 sec

Q&A

Discussion of inactive early childhood education sites

Council Member Restler and DOE officials discuss the status of inactive early childhood education sites and plans for addressing them. - Restler inquires about the number of mothballed early childhood …

2:03:18

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46 sec

Q&A

Request for solutions to activate mothballed sites and address overcapacity at PS8

Council Member Restler presses for solutions to activate mothballed early childhood education sites and addresses overcapacity issues at PS8. - Restler expresses frustration with paying rent for unused sites that …

2:04:05

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153 sec

Q&A

Exploration of creative solutions for high-demand schools like PS8

DOE officials and Council Member Restler discuss potential solutions for addressing overcapacity issues at high-demand schools like PS8. - DOE officials acknowledge the challenges of expanding capacity in densely populated …

2:06:39

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52 sec

REMARKS

Council Member Restler suggests collaboration and expresses appreciation

Council Member Restler concludes the discussion by suggesting ways for council members and the DOE to collaborate on finding solutions, and expresses appreciation for the DOE team's efforts. - Restler …

2:07:30

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44 sec

Q&A

Discrepancies in early childhood education enrollment numbers across reports

Council Member Rita Joseph questions the Department of Education about discrepancies in early childhood education enrollment numbers across different reports. The DOE officials acknowledge the discrepancies and promise to investigate …

2:08:16

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61 sec

Q&A

Current capacity and funding of Three-K and Pre-K programs

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the current capacity and funding of Three-K and Pre-K programs. DOE officials provide information on enrollment numbers, budget allocations, and future funding concerns. - …

2:09:17

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3 min

Q&A

Preschool special education capacity and waiting list concerns

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the current state of preschool special education capacity and waiting lists. DOE officials provide updates on the number of students waiting for placements and …

2:12:23

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3 min

Q&A

Progress in opening new preschool special education seats

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the progress in opening new preschool special education seats with the $55 million investment. DOE officials provide details on the number of seats opened …

2:15:33

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68 sec

Q&A

Challenges in hiring special education teachers and related service providers

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the challenges in hiring special education teachers and related service providers. DOE officials discuss current efforts and investments to address the staffing shortages. - …

2:16:42

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3 min

REMARKS

Council member praises wellness in schools program

Council Member Shahana Hanif briefly mentions her positive experience with the wellness in the schools program at PS 295, highlighting the student engagement she witnessed during a taste test of …

2:19:42

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45 sec

Q&A

Discussion on Three-K waitlists and application process

Council Member Shahana Hanif inquires about the Three-K waitlists and application process, expressing concern about families potentially losing money on private childcare deposits while waiting for placements. DOE officials explain …

2:20:27

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152 sec

Q&A

Discussion on 2Care proposal for free childcare for two-year-olds

Council Member Shahana Hanif inquires about the DOE's thoughts on the 2Care proposal, which aims to provide free publicly funded childcare for two-year-olds. The chancellor expresses support for the idea …

2:23:00

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141 sec

Q&A

Impact of shelter policies on immigrant families and schools

Council Member Shahana Hanif inquires about the impact of the partial rollback of the 60-day shelter cap on immigrant families and schools. DOE officials discuss the challenges in assessing the …

2:25:22

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104 sec

Q&A

Concerns about deportation fears affecting immigrant student attendance

Council Member Shahana Hanif raises concerns about Trump's deportation agenda affecting school attendance for immigrant students. DOE officials discuss their efforts to support immigrant families and monitor attendance trends. - …

2:27:06

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5 min

REMARKS

Ongoing challenges for families with children in grades 7-12

Council Member Shahana Hanif concludes by highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by families with children in grades 7-12 due to shelter policies. She expresses concern about the instability these families …

2:32:43

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19 sec

REMARKS

Council Member Stevens criticizes the Summer Rising program

Council Member Althea V. Stevens opens the discussion by expressing her dissatisfaction with the Summer Rising program. She highlights the disconnect between the positive feedback reported by the Department of …

2:33:06

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48 sec

Q&A

Discussion on Summer Rising enrollment process and timeline

Council Member Stevens and Deputy Chancellor Vadehra discuss the enrollment process and timeline for the Summer Rising program. Vadehra explains the efforts to move up the enrollment process to give …

2:33:55

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99 sec

Q&A

Debate over Summer Rising outreach and enrollment responsibilities

Council Member Stevens and Deputy Chancellor Vadehra engage in a heated discussion about the outreach and enrollment efforts for the Summer Rising program. Stevens questions why the Department of Education …

2:35:34

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3 min

Q&A

Debate over Summer Rising enrollment numbers and their significance

Council Member Stevens and Deputy Chancellor Vadehra discuss the Summer Rising enrollment numbers and their significance. Stevens expresses skepticism about the reported increase in applications. - Vadehra reports that enrollment …

2:38:39

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65 sec

Q&A

Analysis of Summer Rising's academic impact and methodology

Deputy Chancellor Vadehra presents the results of an academic impact analysis for the Summer Rising program. Council Member Stevens questions the methodology and significance of the findings. - The DOE …

2:39:44

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133 sec

Q&A

Support for students with disabilities in Summer Rising

Council Member Stevens and DOE officials discuss the support provided for students with disabilities in the Summer Rising program. Stevens acknowledges the program's efforts in this area while expressing concerns …

2:41:57

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110 sec

Q&A

Transportation arrangements for Summer Rising participants

Council Member Stevens and Deputy Chancellor Vadehra discuss transportation arrangements for Summer Rising participants, focusing on improvements and ongoing challenges. - Rideshare options are provided for students mandated for transportation, …

2:43:47

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76 sec

Q&A

Accommodations for students in temporary housing in Summer Rising

Council Member Stevens and DOE officials discuss the plans and processes for accommodating students in temporary housing who are enrolled in Summer Rising, particularly those who may need to move …

2:45:04

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118 sec

Q&A

Discussion on Learn to Work program funding and RFP timeline

Council Member Stevens and First Deputy Chancellor Weisberg discuss the Learn to Work program, focusing on its funding and the timeline for issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP). - $31 …

2:47:02

·

93 sec

Q&A

Summer Rising program attendance and retention strategies

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about strategies to improve attendance and retention in the Summer Rising program. Deputy Chancellor Emma Vadehra explains the program's flexible nature and outlines efforts to …

2:48:37

·

156 sec

Q&A

Summer Rising program impact analysis and potential baselining

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the impact analysis of the Summer Rising program and its potential for baselining. Deputy Chancellor Emma Vadehra provides information on the program's effectiveness and …

2:51:14

·

52 sec

Q&A

Special education services for preschool students

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the current state of special education services for preschool students. Christina Foti from the DOE provides detailed statistics and explains the challenges: - 4,570 …

2:52:06

·

114 sec

Q&A

Preschool special education evaluation process and timelines

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the evaluation process and timelines for preschool special education. Christina Foti from the DOE provides detailed information on current wait times and efforts to …

2:54:02

·

167 sec

Q&A

Early Childhood Education (ECE) site leases and enrollment levels

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about Early Childhood Education (ECE) site leases and enrollment levels. DOE officials provide information on enrollment standards, lease renewal decisions, and communication with providers: - …

2:56:49

·

6 min

Q&A

Definition and implications of 'oversaturation' in school districts

Council Member Rita Joseph seeks clarification on the concept of 'oversaturation' in school districts and its implications for ECE sites. Jeff Klein from the DOE explains: - Oversaturation occurs when …

3:03:27

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96 sec

Q&A

Impact of gentrification on income-restricted ECE seats

Council Member Rita Joseph raises concerns about the impact of gentrification on income-restricted Early Childhood Education (ECE) seats. Jeff Klein from the DOE acknowledges the issue and outlines the department's …

3:05:03

·

28 sec

Q&A

Lease terminations and enrollment support for ECE sites

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about lease terminations and enrollment support for Early Childhood Education (ECE) sites. Jeff Klein from the DOE provides information on terminations and efforts to support …

3:05:31

·

86 sec

Q&A

School Day Plus (SDY+) program funding, implementation, and enrollment

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the School Day Plus (SDY+) program's funding, implementation, and enrollment. Jeff Klein from the DOE provides details on the program's budget, operational sites, and …

3:06:58

·

3 min

Q&A

ECE contract registration, budget approval, and invoice processing for fiscal year 2025

Council Member Rita Joseph questions DOE representatives about ECE contract registration, budget approval, and invoice processing for fiscal year 2025. The DOE provides details on the number of contracts registered, …

3:10:48

·

3 min

Q&A

Early childhood education marketing, outreach, and funding allocation

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the utilization of $5 million in funding for early childhood education marketing and outreach. DOE representatives discuss various outreach efforts, including in-person events, advertising …

3:14:23

·

5 min

Q&A

Council Member Brewer inquires about Division of School Facilities payment system changes

Council Member Gale A. Brewer questions Deputy Chancellor Emma Vadehra about changes to the payment system implemented by the Division of School Facilities (DSF) last May. The discussion focuses on …

3:19:45

·

100 sec

Q&A

Council Member Narcisse inquires about school infrastructure repairs and AC installation

Council Member Mercedes Narcisse engages in a Q&A session with DOE officials, primarily focusing on school infrastructure repairs, upgrades, and AC installation. She inquires about the prioritization of funding for …

3:21:32

·

4 min

Q&A

Air conditioning inventory and maintenance in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the Department of Education's process for assessing and maintaining air conditioning units in schools. She emphasizes the importance of conducting yearly inventories and troubleshooting …

3:25:48

·

63 sec

Q&A

Art education funding and teacher distribution in NYC schools

Council Member Rita Joseph discusses art education funding and the distribution of certified art teachers across NYC schools with Paul Jonathan Thompson from the DOE's Arts Office. The conversation covers …

3:26:53

·

5 min

Q&A

Restorative justice programming in NYC schools

Council Member Rita Joseph discusses the implementation and expansion of restorative justice programming in NYC schools with DOE representatives. The conversation covers current programs, plans for expansion, and addressing various …

3:32:46

·

11 min

Q&A

Council member questions DOE on protecting immigrant students from gang database

Council Member Althea V. Stevens raises concerns about the potential inclusion of immigrant students in the gang database, particularly through information from school safety officers. Mark Rampersant from the DOE …

3:44:04

·

4 min

Q&A

Language access and parent engagement strategies for school transitions

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about language access and parent engagement strategies, particularly for families transitioning between school levels. Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos discusses the DOE's efforts to improve engagement and …

3:49:00

·

97 sec

Q&A

Funding allocation and programs for parent and family engagement

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the total funding allocated to parent and family engagement. DOE officials provide details on central and local investments in family engagement programs. - The …

3:50:37

·

5 min

Q&A

Progress on hiring additional school food workers

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the progress in hiring additional school food workers with the $20 million added in adoption. Deputy Chancellor Emma Vadehra provides an update on the …

3:55:44

·

71 sec

Q&A

Mental health continuum funding and services in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph discusses the importance of baselining funding for the mental health continuum program and inquires about the services provided by these centers. Chief of Schools for Community …

3:56:56

·

129 sec

Q&A

Community schools funding, expansion, and payment issues

Council Member Rita Joseph discusses community schools funding, expansion, and payment issues with Chief of Schools for Community Supports and Wellness Flavia Puello-Perdomo. They cover the current state of the …

3:59:05

·

3 min

Q&A

Teacher recruitment efforts and funding allocation

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the $10 million allocated for teacher recruitment and its utilization. First Deputy Chancellor Daniel Weisberg provides details on the recruitment efforts and their importance. …

4:02:06

·

134 sec

Q&A

School cleaning funding gap for fiscal year 2026

Council Member Rita Joseph discusses the approximately $154 million funding gap for school cleaning in fiscal year 2026 with Chief Financial Officer Seritta Scott. They address the need for additional …

4:04:20

·

94 sec

Q&A

Foundation aid proposals and state advocacy efforts

Council Member Rita Joseph and Deputy Chancellor Emma Vadehra discuss foundation aid proposals and state advocacy efforts to secure more funding for New York City public schools. - The state …

4:05:54

·

163 sec

Q&A

Using state funding to cover programs with expiring federal dollars

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about using state funding to cover programs that currently lack funding beyond fiscal year 2025. DOE officials discuss the allocation of funds and the use …

4:08:37

·

83 sec

Q&A

Teacher hiring needs to meet class size mandate

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the number of teachers needed to meet the class size mandate. Deputy Chancellor Emma Vadehra provides information on the current applications and estimates for …

4:10:00

·

39 sec

Q&A

Proposed adjustments to foundation aid formula and regional cost index

Council Member Rita Joseph and Deputy Chancellor Emma Vadehra discuss the proposed adjustments to the foundation aid formula and regional cost index in the state and assembly one-house budgets, and …

4:10:40

·

99 sec

Q&A

Funding proposals for pre-K programming from Assembly and Senate

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about funding proposals for pre-K programming from the Assembly and Senate. The DOE's Chief Financial Officer, Seritta Scott, provides estimates of how much funding would …

4:12:19

·

17 sec

Q&A

Senate proposal for child care workforce stabilization fund

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the Senate's proposed $500 million child care workforce stabilization fund and its potential impact on staffing levels at early childhood centers in New York …

4:12:38

·

31 sec

Q&A

Discrepancies in reported numbers of SAPS workers citywide

Council Member Rita Joseph questions the accuracy of the reported number of SAPS (School Access to Public Safety) workers citywide, citing a discrepancy between the DOE's figure and information from …

4:13:09

·

111 sec

REMARKS

Detailed breakdown of SAPS positions and schools serviced

Mark Rampersant, Chief of Safety and Prevention Partnerships, provides a comprehensive breakdown of SAPS (School Access to Public Safety) positions and the schools they service. - Total SAPS positions: 294 …

4:15:00

·

36 sec

Q&A

Inquiry about assistant school safety agents and crisis care in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about assistant school safety agents and crisis care in schools, following up on a previous hearing with the NYPD. - DOE confirms that assistant school …

4:15:48

·

97 sec

Q&A

Spending on due process cases and progress in reducing claims

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about spending on due process cases (Carter cases, Connors cases, and direct service needs) and the progress in reducing claims. Liz Vladek, General Counsel for …

4:17:25

·

109 sec

Q&A

Timeline of open cases and statute of limitations for claims

Liz Vladek, General Counsel for DOE, provides information about the timeline of open cases and the statute of limitations for due process claims. - Only a couple dozen cases still …

4:19:14

·

47 sec

Q&A

Numbers and demographics of students receiving tuition payments through due process

Liz Vladek provides updated numbers and demographic information for students receiving tuition payments through due process for the current and previous school years. - School year 2023-2024: 6,113 students received …

4:20:02

·

153 sec

REMARKS

Breakdown of due process claims for autism and learning disabilities

Liz Vladek provides a detailed breakdown of due process claims for students with autism and learning disabilities (including dyslexia) over the past three school years. - Dyslexia is not a …

4:22:36

·

133 sec

Q&A

Challenges in separating spending between Carter and Connors cases

Council Member Rita Joseph follows up on a previous commitment to separate spending between Carter and Connors cases. Daniel Weisberg and Liz Vladek explain the challenges in doing so and …

4:24:49

·

3 min

Q&A

Budget code for due process claims and included services

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the budget code for due process claims and the services included. Liz Vladek from the DOE explains that the budget code covers various services …

4:28:10

·

104 sec

Q&A

Average costs for mandated special education services

Council Member Rita Joseph requests information on the average costs for various mandated special education services. Liz Vladek from the DOE provides a detailed breakdown of costs for different service …

4:29:55

·

97 sec

Q&A

Challenges in finding providers for special education services

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the difficulties families face in finding adequate providers for special education services. Liz Vladek from the DOE explains the challenges and steps taken to …

4:31:40

·

133 sec

REMARKS

Prayer room for Muslim students during Ramadan

Council Member Rita Joseph raises a concern about a prayer room for Muslim students being taken away during Ramadan. Chancellor Ramos agrees to look into the matter. - The issue …

4:33:53

·

29 sec

Q&A

Additional providers needed for preschool special education

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the number of additional providers needed to serve preschoolers with disabilities in various educational settings. Christina Foti from the DOE provides a breakdown of …

4:34:24

·

119 sec

REMARKS

Council Member Rita Joseph's opening remarks on SCA's capital plan and DOE's preliminary budget

Council Member Rita Joseph opens the education committee hearing focusing on the School Construction Authority's (SCA) $20.5 billion capital plan for fiscal years 2025-2029 and the Department of Education's preliminary …

5:10:38

·

163 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Introduction and overview of SCA's five-year capital plan

Nina Kubota, president and CEO of the New York City School Construction Authority, introduces the updates to the FY 2025-2029 five-year capital plan. She highlights the SCA's recent achievements, including …

5:14:07

·

67 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

New school buildings and seat additions for the upcoming year

The SCA presents an overview of new school buildings and additions set to open in the upcoming fall, showcasing the organization's ongoing efforts to expand educational facilities across New York …

5:15:14

·

28 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Budget increase and funding allocation for the five-year capital plan

The SCA's five-year capital plan has seen a significant increase in total funding, demonstrating continued support for public school infrastructure development in New York City. - Total funding increased by …

5:15:44

·

24 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

New capacity projects and class size compliance initiatives

The SCA outlines its plans for new capacity projects aimed at achieving compliance with the class size law, demonstrating a data-driven approach to allocating resources and addressing educational needs across …

5:16:09

·

166 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Replacement funding and temporary structure removal program

The SCA details its efforts to replace and relocate schools as needed, as well as its program to eliminate reliance on temporary classroom structures, showcasing improvements in school infrastructure. - …

5:18:56

·

74 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Healthy schools initiatives and building electrification efforts

The SCA outlines its significant investments in the healthy schools category, with a focus on building electrification and upgrading heating systems to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse …

5:20:13

·

67 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Physical education facility upgrades and swimming instruction initiatives

The SCA details its investments in upgrading physical education facilities, with a particular emphasis on swimming instruction and pool restoration projects across the city. - $349 million allocated for upgrading …

5:21:21

·

38 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Health and nutrition projects: Cafeteria enhancements and agricultural education

The SCA outlines its investments in health and nutrition projects, focusing on improving school cafeterias and creating unique educational spaces centered around agriculture and nutrition. - $180 million allocated for …

5:21:59

·

77 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Sustainable design innovations in school construction projects

The SCA highlights its efforts in implementing sustainable design elements in school construction projects, showcasing innovative technologies and systems to reduce environmental impact and improve energy efficiency. - Implementation of …

5:23:17

·

110 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Capital improvements for existing school buildings

The SCA outlines its significant investments in maintaining and upgrading existing school buildings, recognizing the importance of preserving older facilities in the city's educational infrastructure. - 86% of buildings are …

5:25:08

·

65 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

School enhancement projects and accessibility improvements

The SCA details its investments in school enhancement projects, with a particular focus on improving accessibility across the city's school buildings to ensure equitable access for all students. - $2.88 …

5:26:14

·

75 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Mandated projects and code compliance initiatives

The SCA outlines its allocation for mandated projects, including remediation, code compliance, and other legally required initiatives to ensure school buildings meet all necessary standards and regulations. - $3.4 billion …

5:27:31

·

25 sec

AGENCY TESTIMONY

Conclusion and acknowledgments of SCA's achievements and future plans

Nina Kubota concludes the testimony by expressing pride in the SCA's accomplishments and acknowledging the hard work of the staff in providing high-quality educational facilities across New York City. - …

5:27:56

·

23 sec

Q&A

Discussion on class size reduction compliance and estimated seats needed

Council Member Rita Joseph initiates a discussion about class size reduction compliance, focusing on the SCA's estimate of 70,000 new seats needed. SCA Vice President Cora Liu explains how they …

5:28:23

·

58 sec

Q&A

Timeline for opening new seats funded in the capital plan

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the realistic timeline for opening the 33,417 seats funded in the plan by the 2027-2028 school year when the class size law will be …

5:29:21

·

115 sec

Q&A

Percentage of class size compliance achieved with new seats

Council Member Rita Joseph asks about the percentage of class size compliance that would be achieved with the 13,478 seats scheduled to open by 2027. SCA Vice President Cora Liu …

5:31:16

·

58 sec

Q&A

Flexibility in shifting seats based on changing needs

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the possibility of shifting seats between areas based on changing needs. The discussion focuses on the flexibility to move seats when there's an imbalance …

5:32:14

·

25 sec

Q&A

Non-capital efforts to achieve class size compliance

First Deputy Chancellor Daniel Weisberg explains the non-capital efforts being made to achieve class size compliance. These efforts focus on utilizing existing space more efficiently and opening additional classes without …

5:32:40

·

81 sec

Q&A

SCA's target for total seats to open by 2027-2028 school year

Council Member Rita Joseph asks about SCA's target range for total seats to open by the 2027-2028 school year. SCA President Nina Kubota and First Deputy Chancellor Daniel Weisberg discuss …

5:34:06

·

120 sec

Q&A

Metrics used for planning school expansions and new construction

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the metrics used to plan school expansions and new construction. SCA President Nina Kubota and Deputy Chancellor Emma Vadehra explain the planning process and …

5:36:06

·

163 sec

REMARKS

Concerns over delayed council member projects and funding issues

Council Member Rita Joseph expresses strong concerns about the increasing rate of delayed, pushed, or re-estimated council member projects. She highlights the difficulties this creates for members and the impact …

5:38:50

·

139 sec

Q&A

Discussion of delayed playground project at PS 217

Council Member Rita Joseph expresses frustration over the delayed ADA-compliant playground project at PS 217, which was funded in FY 2023 but has not yet started. The discussion highlights the …

5:41:11

·

112 sec

Q&A

Plans for improved communication and planning for council member-funded projects

SCA President Nina Kubota and Vice President Cora Liu discuss plans to improve communication and planning for council member-funded projects. They acknowledge the need for better engagement with council members, …

5:43:06

·

5 min

Q&A

SCA's internal process for member-funded projects

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the School Construction Authority's (SCA) internal process for member-funded projects, from submission to completion. Cora Liu, VP of Capital Planning Management at SCA, provides …

5:48:13

·

3 min

Q&A

Timeline for SCA project completion after OMB approval

Council Member Rita Joseph presses for specific timeframes for project completion after OMB approval. SCA officials provide estimates for different stages of the process. - Scope and design typically takes …

5:51:43

·

58 sec

Q&A

Uncompleted member projects from prior years

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the number of member-funded projects from previous years that have not been started or are still in the scoping or design phase. SCA provides …

5:52:42

·

28 sec

Q&A

Oldest uncompleted project in SCA's portfolio

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the oldest uncompleted project in SCA's portfolio, including both RESO A and capital projects. SCA officials are unable to provide an immediate answer. - …

5:53:10

·

29 sec

REMARKS

DOE's improvements to RESO A program and project management

Kevin Moran, Chief Schools Operation Officer at NYC Department of Education, outlines the department's efforts to improve the RESO A program and overall project management processes. He acknowledges past issues …

5:53:40

·

4 min

REMARKS

Council member's response to project management updates

Council Member Rita Joseph responds to the updates provided by Kevin Moran on the improvements to the RESO A program and project management. - The council member acknowledges the DOE's …

5:58:30

·

17 sec

Q&A

SCA's efforts to gain flexibility on capital eligibility rules

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about SCA's efforts to gain more flexibility on capital eligibility rules and scoping funding. SCA representatives discuss their conversations with OMB and the challenges they …

5:58:48

·

79 sec

Q&A

Funding options for water fountain projects

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about alternative funding sources for water fountain projects that are not considered capital eligible. DOE representatives explain their plans to reassess the eligibility of these …

6:00:07

·

52 sec

Q&A

Strategies for more accurate project scoping

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about SCA's strategies to scope projects more accurately from the onset to avoid revision delays. SCA representatives explain their efforts to improve the scoping process …

6:01:00

·

76 sec

Q&A

Barriers to project completion beyond funding

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about barriers that SCA faces in project completion beyond funding issues. SCA representatives discuss challenges related to new laws and regulations that impact their projects. …

6:02:16

·

40 sec

Q&A

Revision of project completion time metrics

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the revision of the project completion time metric from 15 days to 30 days after the scheduled date. SCA representatives explain the reasoning behind …

6:03:00

·

32 sec

Q&A

Reasons for decrease in on-time project completion rates

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the reasons for the decrease in on-time project completion rates, noting that performance has declined since 2016 despite the change in metric. SCA representatives …

6:03:31

·

77 sec

Q&A

Process of designating new school seats by district and sub-district

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the process of designating new school seats by district and sub-district in the recent plan. SCA and DOE representatives explain the factors considered and …

6:04:52

·

169 sec

Q&A

Identifying districts unable to reach class size compliance without new capacity

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about SCA's identification of districts that will not be able to reach class size compliance without adding new capacity. SCA representatives explain their approach to …

6:07:42

·

47 sec

Q&A

Timeline for increasing number of designated seats by sub-district and district

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the timeline for increasing the number of seats designated by sub-district and district in the plan. SCA representatives explain their approach to updating seat …

6:08:32

·

35 sec

Q&A

Commitment to identifying additional seats at district level by 2025

Council Member Rita Joseph asks if SCA will commit to identifying all additional seats at least at the district level by 2025 in the November plan. SCA representatives explain their …

6:09:11

·

38 sec

Q&A

Necessity of retaining some citywide seat designations for flexibility

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the necessity of retaining some citywide seat designations and how many need to remain as such. SCA representatives explain the importance of maintaining flexibility …

6:09:50

·

18 sec

Q&A

Challenges in finding sites for new schools in New York City

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about SCA's target for citing new seats in each plan and the challenges in finding sites for new schools. SCA representatives explain the difficulties they …

6:10:08

·

73 sec

Q&A

Council Member Rita Joseph questions SCA on school siting and early childhood education leases

Council Member Rita Joseph engages in a Q&A session with representatives from the School Construction Authority (SCA) regarding school siting processes and early childhood education (ECE) leases. The discussion covers …

6:11:22

·

3 min

Q&A

Council Member Rita Joseph questions SCA and DOE officials on school leases, accessibility, and funding

Council Member Rita Joseph engages in a Q&A session with representatives from the School Construction Authority (SCA) and New York City Public Schools regarding various aspects of school infrastructure and …

6:14:53

·

4 min

Q&A

Discussion on ADA compliance and accessibility in school buildings

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the SCA's efforts to make school buildings ADA compliant. The discussion covers the challenges of upgrading old buildings, the number of schools that cannot …

6:19:20

·

3 min

Q&A

Update on cafeteria enhancement projects and funding

Council Member Rita Joseph discusses the progress and funding of cafeteria enhancement projects with DOE and SCA representatives. The conversation covers the number of completed and planned upgrades, as well …

6:22:39

·

4 min

Q&A

Updates on Temporary Classroom Unit (TCU) removals

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the progress of removing Temporary Classroom Units (TCUs) from schools. Nina Kubota from the SCA provides updates on the current status and plans for …

6:26:49

·

3 min

Q&A

Technology readiness for online testing in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the readiness of schools for online testing, focusing on technology inventory and bandwidth capacity. DOE representatives provide updates on the current status of online …

6:30:15

·

33 sec

REMARKS

Progress on bandwidth upgrades in NYC schools

Intekhab Shakil, Chief Information Officer at the DOE, provides an update on the ongoing process of upgrading bandwidth in NYC schools. He explains the current status and future plans for …

6:30:50

·

85 sec

Q&A

Device availability and inventory management in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the availability of devices for online testing in schools and the process of inventory management. DOE representatives explain the current system and responsibilities. - …

6:32:15

·

54 sec

Q&A

Transition to online testing and funding for school technology devices

Emma Vadehra, Deputy Chancellor for Operations and Finance, discusses the DOE's progress in transitioning to online testing and the challenges of funding technology devices for schools. The conversation covers the …

6:33:09

·

124 sec

Q&A

System testing for potential remote learning days

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the DOE's preparedness for potential remote learning days through system testing. Intekhab Shakil, Chief Information Officer, provides information on the department's testing procedures and …

6:35:13

·

39 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Dale Kelly, Executive Vice President of the Council of School Supervising Administrators

Dale Kelly, representing the Council of School Supervising Administrators, addressed the City Council on various education issues, focusing primarily on school safety concerns and budget priorities. Kelly emphasized the need …

6:39:54

·

6 min

Q&A

Council member inquires about class size funding application process

Council Member Rita Joseph asks about the Department of Education's recent process for principals to apply for class size reduction funding. Dale Kelly, representing the Council of School Supervising Administrators, …

6:46:22

·

82 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Glenys Rivera, Second Vice President of Local 372, District Council 37

Glenys Rivera, representing Local 372 of District Council 37, testified about the importance of school lunch workers and requested additional funding for staffing and kitchen improvements in NYC public schools. …

6:47:50

·

121 sec

Q&A

Council member inquires about school lunch worker staffing and hiring

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the impact of $20 million funding for school staffing and the number of kitchen workers hired. The representative from Local 372, District Council 37 …

6:49:53

·

34 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Michael Mulgrew, President of United Federation of Teachers

Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers, testified about education funding challenges and staffing issues in NYC public schools. He highlighted concerns about potential federal budget cuts, class …

6:50:31

·

3 min

Q&A

Progress on class size compliance and future challenges

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the progress on compliance with class size regulations. Michael Mulgrew responds that they are confident about meeting the 60% target for September, but notes …

6:53:46

·

86 sec

Q&A

Analysis of proposed changes to foundation aid in state budget

Council Member Rita Joseph asks about the analysis of proposed changes to foundation aid in the assembly and senate budget. Michael Mulgrew provides insights on the changes and their implications …

6:55:13

·

75 sec

Q&A

Challenges in hiring paraprofessionals and salary issues

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the greatest obstacle in hiring paraprofessionals. Michael Mulgrew identifies salary as the primary issue and elaborates on the complexities surrounding paraprofessional compensation. - Mulgrew …

6:56:28

·

91 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Christina Karahisarlidis, Program Manager at Generation Citizen

Christina Karahisarlidis, Program Manager at Generation Citizen, testified on the importance of increasing education funding in NYC DOE schools. She emphasized the need for proper funding to address learning loss, …

6:59:24

·

166 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Martin Gloster, Social Studies/History Teacher at Global Learning Collaborative

Martin Gloster, a social studies teacher at Global Learning Collaborative, testifies about the urgent need for mental health services in schools. He emphasizes the growing mental health crisis among youth, …

7:02:11

·

126 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Jennifer T., 12th Grade Student at Global Learning Collaborative

Jennifer T., a 12th-grade student from the Global Learning Collaborative, advocates for the inclusion of critical race theory and a mandatory African American history course in all NYC public schools. …

7:04:27

·

171 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Alex, Student from Global Learning Collaborative

Alex, an eleventh-grade student from Global Learning Collaborative, testifies about the negative impacts of large class sizes resulting from budget cuts. She emphasizes the importance of individualized attention from teachers …

7:07:22

·

137 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Lawrence R., Student at Global Learning Collaborative

Lawrence R., a junior at Global Learning Collaborative, testifies against budget cuts to NYC DOE school's special education programs. She emphasizes the importance of these programs for working families and …

7:09:43

·

141 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Lauren M., Student from Global Learning Collaborative on Mental Health Services in Schools

Lauren M., a 15-year-old sophomore from Global Learning Collaborative, testifies about the importance of mental health services in schools, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. She shares her …

7:12:07

·

105 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Soleidy M., Student from Global Learning Collaborative on Mental Health Services in Schools

Soleidy N,, a 14-year-old freshman from Global Learning Collaborative, testified about the importance of increasing mental health services in schools. She shared her personal experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and …

7:13:56

·

148 sec

REMARKS

Council member addresses curriculum representation concerns

Council Member Rita Joseph responds to concerns about representation in the curriculum by highlighting recent initiatives. She mentions the launch of a black studies curriculum for K-12 and a Latin …

7:16:25

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38 sec

Q&A

Q&A on class sizes in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph engages in a Q&A session with students about class sizes in their school. She inquires about both the largest and smallest classes. - The largest class …

7:17:04

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35 sec

Q&A

Inquiry about school counselors

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the number of counselors in the students' school. - The school has two counselors - One counselor is assigned to 9th and 10th grades, …

7:17:38

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17 sec

Q&A

Discussion on proposed statewide cell phone ban in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph engages in a discussion about a proposed statewide ban on cell phones during the school day. A teacher shares his thoughts on the implementation challenges. - …

7:17:58

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54 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Logan N., Third Grader at Brooklyn Brownstone School

Logan N., a third-grader from Brooklyn Brownstone School, testified to the City Council about the importance of education funding. He thanked the council for previous support and urged them to …

7:21:54

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66 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Yvel N., Student from Young Women Leadership School of the Bronx, on Restorative Justice Funding

Yvel N., an 11th-grade student from the Young Women Leadership School of the Bronx, advocated for increased funding for restorative justice practices in schools. She shared personal experiences of how …

7:23:16

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127 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Melolo F., Youth Leader from Circle Keepers

Melolo F., a junior at Forest Hills High School and youth leader with Circle Keepers and the Dignity in Schools Campaign, advocates for $80 million funding for restorative justice coordinators …

7:25:35

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128 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Nora A., Youth Leader from Circle Keepers and Dignity in Schools Campaign New York, on Restorative Justice and Mental Health Services in Schools

Nora A., a student and youth leader, testifies in support of expanding restorative justice programs and mental health services in New York City schools. She calls for an $80 million …

7:27:47

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151 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Orla F., Youth Leader from Circle Keepers

Orla F., a high school senior and youth leader from Circle Keepers, advocates for expanding restorative justice in schools by requesting $80 million in the FY 2026 budget to hire …

7:30:25

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131 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Hadia A., Student, on Restorative Justice Funding in NYC Schools

Hadia A., a junior high school student from District 45, testifies on behalf of the Yaya Network and DSC to advocate for increased funding for restorative justice (RJ) programs in …

7:32:42

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175 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Janice C., Youth Organizer from YA-YA Network

Janice C., a youth organizer from YA-YA Network, testifies about the importance of a supportive school environment and advocates for $80 million in funding for restorative justice counselors instead of …

7:35:40

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118 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Sandra Mitchell, Parent Leader from New Settlement Parent Action Committee

Sandra Mitchell, a parent leader and mental health counselor, advocates for reinvesting in New York City schools with a focus on social-emotional support, trauma-responsive care, and restorative justice practices instead …

7:37:44

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3 min

Q&A

Number of counselors in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph asks students about the number of counselors in their schools. Students from various schools respond, revealing a wide range in the ratio of counselors to students …

7:41:11

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65 sec

Q&A

Awareness and accessibility of support services in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about students' awareness of support services in their schools, including mental health services and guidance counselors. Students share their experiences with the availability and accessibility …

7:42:19

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133 sec

Q&A

Positive impacts of restorative justice programs in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph asks students about the positive impacts of restorative justice programs in their schools. Students share their experiences with such programs and their benefits. - One school …

7:44:33

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103 sec

Q&A

Issue resolution in schools without restorative justice programs

Council Member Rita Joseph asks students how issues are resolved in schools without restorative justice programs. Students share their experiences with punitive approaches to conflict resolution. - One school relies …

7:46:17

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114 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Serahi D., Student from Young Women's Leadership School at The Bronx, on School Safety and Support

Serahi D., a junior at the Young Women's Leadership School in The Bronx, testified about the lack of adequate support and resources in her school, emphasizing the need for more …

7:50:00

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Amber C., Youth Leader from Circle Keepers

Amber C., a youth leader from Circle Keepers, advocated for $80 million in funding for restorative justice coordinators in 500 schools and the redirection of funds from school policing. She …

7:53:06

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147 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Keira K., Youth Leader from Circle Keepers

Keira K., a tenth-grade student with an IEP, testifies about the failure of the educational system to provide mandated support for students with disabilities. She highlights her personal struggles with …

7:55:43

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Becky, Eighth Grade Student and Member of Historical Keepers

Becky, an eighth-grade student, advocates for a $80 million investment to hire restorative justice coordinators in 500 schools. She emphasizes the importance of restorative justice in resolving conflicts, promoting understanding, …

7:58:51

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61 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Amina J., High School Student Advocate from YA-YA Network

Amina J., a high school student from Brooklyn, testifies on behalf of the YA-YA Network and the Dignity in Schools Coalition, advocating for increased funding for restorative justice programs in …

8:00:05

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142 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Emily D., Youth Leader from Circle Keepers

Emily D., a Colombian immigrant and youth leader from Circle Keepers, testifies about the need for increased investment in education for New York City students. She emphasizes the importance of …

8:02:31

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142 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Mamuna D., Youth Advocate from YA-YA Network

Mamuna D., a junior at a NYC public high school, testifies on behalf of the YA-YA Network to advocate for restorative justice in schools. She shares her personal experiences with …

8:05:02

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85 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Nicholas L., Youth Leader from Circle Keepers, on Restorative Justice in Schools

Nicholas L., a youth leader from Circle Keepers, testifies in support of investing $80 million to hire school-based restorative justice coordinators in as many schools as possible. He shares his …

8:06:32

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3 min

Q&A

Youth advocate shares experience of discrimination at age six

Council Member Rita Joseph engages with a youth advocate about her experience of discrimination at age six. The advocate describes how this early experience sparked her passion for advocacy and …

8:09:42

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68 sec

Q&A

Discussion on the number of counselors in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the number of counselors in the schools of the youth present. The youth share information about counselor-to-student ratios in their respective schools. - Most …

8:10:50

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85 sec

Q&A

Positive impacts of restorative justice in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph asks about the positive impacts of restorative justice in schools. A youth advocate shares her experience with implementing cultural awareness programs as part of restorative justice …

8:12:15

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37 sec

Q&A

Conflict resolution in schools with and without restorative justice

Council Member Rita Joseph asks about conflict resolution in schools without restorative justice. Youth advocates share their experiences and perspectives on the differences between schools with and without restorative justice …

8:12:53

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3 min

REMARKS

Council member concludes discussion and thanks youth advocates

Council Member Rita Joseph concludes the discussion by thanking the youth advocates for their voices and contributions. - The council member expresses gratitude to the panel - She transitions to …

8:16:43

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83 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Blaise H., Youth Advocate from YA-YA Network, on Restorative Justice Funding

Blaise H., a 16-year-old high school junior, testified on behalf of the YA-YA Network and the Dignity in Schools Campaign, advocating for increased funding for restorative justice programs in schools. …

8:18:10

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136 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Ashton T., Youth Leader from Circle Keepers

Ashton T., a youth leader from Circle Keepers and Dignity in Schools Coalition, testifies about the need for restorative justice coordinators in schools. He shares a personal experience of a …

8:20:35

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89 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Kailin, Student from Yaya Network and Dignadian Schools

Kailin, a senior at Fort Hamilton High School, testifies about the positive impact of mental health resources and restorative justice practices in her school, contrasting it with the lack of …

8:22:11

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127 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Marilyn P., Student and Youth Leader for CAE PAC Activists

Marilyn P., a student and youth activist, testified in support of fully funding restorative justice programs and diverting funds from school policing to mental health resources and academic support. She …

8:24:24

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136 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Edward Sanchez, Political Science Student at CUNY Baruch College

Edward Sanchez, a CUNY Baruch College political science student and youth leader, testifies on behalf of the Coalition for Equitable Education Funding. He expresses concern about the potential expiration of …

8:26:45

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135 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Andrea Ortiz, Membership and Campaign Director of Dignity in Schools Campaign New York

Andrea Ortiz, representing Dignity in Schools Campaign New York, calls for expanding restorative justice, protecting immigrant students, and baselining funding for critical education programs. She criticizes Mayor Adams' policies and …

8:29:03

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134 sec

Q&A

Clarification on restorative justice funding proposal

Council Member Rita Joseph seeks clarification on the proposed $80 million funding for restorative justice in schools. Andrea Ortiz explains that this funding is in addition to the existing $12 …

8:31:19

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24 sec

Q&A

Availability and awareness of counselors and support services in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the availability of counselors and support services in schools. Students share their experiences, highlighting the variability in access to these resources across different schools. …

8:31:44

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95 sec

Q&A

Impact of restorative justice and student activism in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the impact of restorative justice in schools. Students share their experiences with restorative justice programs, or the lack thereof, and discuss a recent student …

8:33:23

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155 sec

Q&A

High student-to-counselor ratios in large schools

A former student of Fort Hamilton High School shares his experience with the insufficient number of social workers for the large student population, highlighting the challenges in accessing mental health …

8:36:02

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43 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Anjanel, Youth Leader from Make the Road New York

Anjanel, a senior at the Academy for Excellence in Leadership and a youth leader at a Student Success Center (SSC), testifies about the importance of SSCs in supporting students, particularly …

8:42:38

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Jania Witherspoon, Co-founder and Director of Youth Voices at The Circle Keepers

Jania Witherspoon, co-founder of The Circle Keepers, advocates for implementing restorative justice in NYC schools. She shares her personal experience with restorative justice at Harvest Collegiate and emphasizes its positive …

8:46:38

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156 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Abarav P., Student and Restorative Justice Youth Leader from Make the Road New York

Abarav P., an eleventh-grade student and restorative justice youth leader, advocates for full funding and expansion of restorative justice (RJ) programs in NYC schools. He emphasizes the importance of creating …

8:49:19

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161 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Kimberly G., Student and Restorative Justice Youth Leader from Brooklyn School for Social Justice

Kimberly G., a student and restorative justice youth leader, testifies about the importance of restorative justice in schools and advocates for full funding of restorative justice programs while divesting from …

8:52:04

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110 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Andrea R., Student and Restorative Justice Youth Leader from Make the Road New York

Andrea R., an eighth-grade student and restorative justice youth leader, testifies about the importance of restorative justice in schools and advocates for full funding of restorative justice programs while divesting …

8:53:58

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132 sec

Q&A

Council member inquires about the number of counselors in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph asks students about the number of guidance counselors and college counselors in their schools. The students provide information about the counselor-to-student ratios in their respective schools. …

8:56:18

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55 sec

Q&A

Discussion on restorative justice programs in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the presence of restorative justice programs in the students' schools. A student responds, providing information about a limited restorative justice program in their school. …

8:57:14

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31 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Trinity W., Student from Brooklyn Environmental Exploration School, on After School Programs

Trinity W., an eighth-grade student, passionately advocates for the importance of after-school programs, emphasizing their role in providing a safe space for students to grow, learn, and socialize beyond regular …

8:58:37

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Sebastian, Youth Leader from Urban Youth Collective and Make the Road New York

Sebastian, a senior in a Brooklyn community high school and youth leader, testifies against school policing and advocates for increased funding in education resources. He highlights the negative impact of …

9:02:10

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Holiday, Youth Leader from Make the Road New York

Holiday, a senior at a Brooklyn community school and youth leader with Make the Road New York and Urban Youth Collaborative, testifies about the need for better support for students …

9:05:20

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Jaylene F., Youth Leader from Future of Tomorrow and Urban Youth Collaborative

Jaylene F., a youth leader from Future of Tomorrow and Urban Youth Collaborative, testifies about the negative impact of police presence in schools and calls for investment in student support …

9:08:27

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Darialis I., Youth Leader from Sistas and Brothas United

Darialis I., a high school junior and youth leader, testifies about the impact of budget cuts on support staff in schools and the need for more counselors and mental health …

9:11:44

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Eva, Youth Leader from Sistas & Brothas United on School Safety and Policing

Eva, a youth leader from Sistas & Brothas United, testified about the negative impacts of policing in schools and called for a shift in focus from increased policing to addressing …

9:14:50

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3 min

Q&A

Council member inquires about counselors in students' schools

Council Member Rita Joseph engages in a Q&A session with several students, asking about their schools and the number of counselors available. The students provide information about their respective schools, …

9:18:29

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113 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Esther, Youth Leader from Make the Road New York

Esther, a youth leader from Make the Road New York and Urban Youth Collaborative, testified about the need for more guidance counselors, concerns about ICE presence near schools, and the …

9:21:59

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Joe Titus, CEO and Co-Founder of HiveClass, on Physical Education in New York City Schools

Joe Titus, CEO and Co-Founder of HiveClass, testified about the state of physical education in New York City schools, emphasizing the importance of PE for students' academic and emotional development. …

9:25:51

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Aliyam, Youth Leader from Make the Road New York

Aliyam, a youth leader from Make the Road New York and a senior at an international high school in Queens, testified about the need for increased investment in education and …

9:29:10

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Anderson, Youth Leader from Make the Road New York

Anderson, a high school senior and immigrant from Ecuador, testifies about the negative impact of school police on students, particularly immigrants and students of color. He advocates for removing school …

9:33:02

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Chauncy Young, Director of New Settlement Parent Action Committee

Chauncy Young, representing the New Settlement Parent Action Committee, advocates for increased investment in New York City public schools, particularly in social-emotional support, trauma-responsive care, and restorative justice programs. He …

9:36:33

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3 min

Q&A

Council member inquires about positive aspects of restorative justice in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph asks about positive aspects of restorative justice in schools. A student responds that their school only has peer mediation and social workers, but these resources are …

9:39:36

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45 sec

Q&A

Discussion on conflict resolution in schools without restorative justice

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about conflict resolution methods in schools lacking restorative justice programs. Students from Make the Road New York share their experiences and concerns. - One student …

9:40:25

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121 sec

Q&A

Strategies for increasing physical education participation in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph asks about increasing physical education (PE) in schools. Joe Titus from HiveClass responds with strategies to improve PE participation. - Offering choice and personalization in PE …

9:42:28

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44 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Kay, Youth Advocate from Asian American Student Advocacy Project (ASAP)

Kay, a student at John Dewey High School and youth advocate for the Asian American Student Advocacy Project, testifies about the challenges faced by English Language Learner (ELL) students, particularly …

9:44:37

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Wiza I., Youth Advocate of Asian American Student Advocacy Project (ASAP) on Anti-Bullying and Harassment

Wiza I., a junior at Staten Island Technical High School and youth advocate for ASAP, testifies about the challenges faced by AAPI students, including bullying, stereotyping, and the need for …

9:48:06

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163 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Brandon, Youth Advocate for Language Access Campaign at Asian American Student Advocacy Project (ASAP)

Brandon, a high school student and youth advocate, testifies about the challenges faced by Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) English Language Learners (ELLs) in NYC schools. He emphasizes the …

9:50:54

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176 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Aisha, Youth Advocate from Asian American Student Advocacy Project (ASAP)

Aisha, a junior at Bard High School Early College and youth advocate for ASAP's Mental Health Campaign, testified about the challenges faced by AAPI students in NYC public schools, particularly …

9:53:58

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152 sec

REMARKS

Council member comments on AAPI curriculum development

Council Member Rita Joseph briefly mentions that work on AAPI curriculum was announced about two years ago. She acknowledges a youth advocate who seems to be unaware of this information. …

9:56:32

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16 sec

Q&A

Discussion on support for English Language Learner students

Council Member Rita Joseph engages in a Q&A session about support for English Language Learner (ELL) students. A youth advocate suggests special programs to support language needs and inclusive learning …

9:56:48

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50 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Paulette Healy, District 75 Parent on Education Budget and Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

Paulette Healy, a parent of two teenagers with IEPs in public high school, testifies about the need for greater investment in opportunities for District 75 students, transfer school students, and …

9:59:03

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174 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Sarah Jonas, Vice President of Youth Division at Children's Aid on Community Schools and Education Funding

Sarah Jonas, Vice President of Youth Division at Children's Aid, testified on the importance of community schools and the need for continued funding. She highlighted the success of their programs …

10:02:02

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Nickesha Francis, Policy and Advocacy Manager at Good Shepherd Services

Nickesha Francis, representing Good Shepherd Services and various education coalitions, testified about the need for baseline funding for essential education programs in NYC. She focused on the importance of Learning …

10:05:21

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Randi Levine, Policy Director of Advocates for Children of New York

Randi Levine, Policy Director of Advocates for Children of New York, expresses concerns about the potential loss of funding for critical education programs and calls for increased investment in various …

10:09:04

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173 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Chelsea Baytemur, Director of Policy and Advocacy at YMCA of Greater New York

Chelsea Baytemur from the YMCA of Greater New York advocates for baseline funding of critical education programs in NYC's budget. She emphasizes the importance of early childhood education and community …

10:12:00

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Molly Senack, Education and Employment Community Organizer from Center for Independence of the Disabled New York (CIDNY)

Molly Senack from CIDNY advocated for continued funding of crucial education programs, emphasizing their importance for students with disabilities. She highlighted the potential negative impacts of budget cuts on special …

10:15:19

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Michelle Kraus, Social Work Manager of the Disability Justice Program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI)

Michelle Kraus from NYLPI testifies on the urgent need for increased and baseline funding for mental health services in NYC public schools, particularly for students with disabilities. She highlights alarming …

10:18:31

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5 min

REMARKS

Council member discusses mental health initiatives

Council Member Rita Joseph highlights recent mental health initiatives passed by the council, including a mental health roadmap and bills on student pyramid meditation and peer mental health support. She …

10:23:39

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22 sec

Q&A

Q&A on community school contract payment improvements

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about improvements in contract payments to community schools, referencing earlier statements from the Department of Education. Sarah Jonas, representing Children's Aid, confirms some improvements but …

10:23:57

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28 sec

Q&A

Q&A on desired changes to learning to work RFP

Council Member Rita Joseph engages Nickesha Francis from Good Shepherd Services about desired changes in the upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) for the learning to work program. Nickesha expresses a …

10:24:25

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44 sec

REMARKS

Update on contract payment status for YMCA programs

Chelsea Baytemur from the YMCA of Greater New York provides an update on the status of contract payments for their programs. She notes that while payments for early childhood education …

10:25:10

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18 sec

Q&A

Q&A on community school funding discrepancies

Council Member Rita Joseph questions Chelsea Baytemur about a discrepancy between the Department of Education's testimony and Chelsea's testimony regarding the number of schools receiving community school funding. Chelsea clarifies …

10:25:29

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34 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Debra Freeman, Chair of Education Working Group at Four Freedoms Democratic Club

Debra Freeman, representing the Four Freedoms Democratic Club, testified on the importance of prioritizing and increasing public school funding in New York City. She emphasized the need for continued support …

10:28:17

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4 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Aaron Sanders, Deputy Director of Government and Community Relations at Grand Street Settlement

Aaron Sanders, representing Grand Street Settlement, testified on the importance of preserving and strengthening early education programs in New York City. He urged the city to reverse $300 million in …

10:32:43

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179 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Megan Nordgrén, Director of Development & Government Relations at NY Sun Works

Megan Nordgrén from NY Sun Works testified about their nonprofit organization that builds hydroponic farm classrooms in New York City public schools. She highlighted the program's benefits in STEM education, …

10:35:56

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Allison Marino, Director of Public Affairs at Edible Schoolyard NYC

Allison Marino, representing Edible Schoolyard NYC, testifies about the importance of food education in New York City public schools and requests increased funding for food education programs in the FY …

10:39:02

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Tara Van Real, Graduate Intern at Tisch Food Center

Tara Van Real, a graduate intern at the Tisch Food Center, advocates for strengthening food education in New York City schools. She shares her experiences teaching nutrition to elementary school …

10:42:47

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Briana Black, Executive Director and Lead Educator of Leave It Better Foundation

Briana Black, representing the Leave It Better Foundation, testifies about the importance of food and nutrition education for students in New York City, particularly those in food deserts. She urges …

10:46:09

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters, Researcher at Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food Education and Policy, Teachers College, Columbia University

Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters testified on the importance of food and nutrition education in New York City schools, urging the council to renew funding for the Food at Hub and support …

10:49:19

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152 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Gregory Brender, Chief Policy & Innovation Officer of Day Care Council of New York

Gregory Brender from the Day Care Council of New York testified about the critical state of early childhood education in NYC, highlighting concerns about budget cuts and the need for …

10:51:55

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4 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Trenton Price, Executive Director of Salvadori Center on STEAM Education and Funding

Trenton Price, Executive Director of Salvadori Center, testified about the importance of STEAM education and advocated for increased funding for arts and creative education in NYC public schools. He highlighted …

10:56:20

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169 sec

Q&A

Q&A on extended early childhood education sites

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the Department of Education's work with extended early childhood education sites. Aaron Sanders from Grand Street Settlement responds, mentioning ongoing discussions about a lease …

11:01:18

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30 sec

Q&A

Discussion on food education programs in schools

Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about food education in New York City schools, including nutrition committees. Representatives from food education organizations provide insights on current programs and challenges. - Food …

11:01:50

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142 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Christopher Leon Johnson, Member of the Public

Christopher Leon Johnson provided testimony on various topics, primarily advocating for the release of Mahmoud Khalil and emphasizing the importance of education funding. He touched on issues of free speech, …

11:04:50

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Angelina S., Parent from Queens on Preschool Special Education Services

Angelina S., a parent from Queens, testified about the challenges in obtaining preschool special education services for her daughter who has autism. She highlighted the delays and difficulties in receiving …

11:08:51

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172 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Beth Reisman, Representative of New York Edge

Beth Reisman, representing New York Edge, testified to request increased funding for their after-school and summer programs. She highlighted the organization's growth, impact, and the need for additional resources to …

11:11:52

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169 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Michael Rands, Researcher at Class Size Matters, on Class Size Reduction Compliance and Funding

Michael Rands from Class Size Matters expressed deep concerns about the lack of funding allocations for schools to comply with class size caps by 2028. He criticized the DOE's voluntary …

11:16:03

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Espa Zigouris, Senior Vice President of Education at Birch Family Services

Espa Zigouris from Birch Family Services testified about the challenges faced by special education preschool providers and the need for continued funding support. She highlighted the disparity in teacher salaries …

11:19:37

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178 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Takia Tinsley, Parent, on Preschool Special Education Services

Takia Tinsley, a parent from Manhattan, testifies about the urgent need for preschool special education classrooms and services in New York City. She shares her personal struggle in securing appropriate …

11:23:00

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154 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Jolene Gunther-Doherty, Director of Guild for Exceptional Children's 4410 Preschool Special Education Program

Jolene Gunther-Doherty, Director of the Guild for Exceptional Children's 4410 preschool special education program, testified about the importance of continuing funding for preschool special education programs. She emphasized the need …

11:25:44

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119 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Fiodhna O'Grady, Director of Government Relations at Samaritans of New York

Fiodhna O'Grady, representing Samaritans of New York, presented alarming statistics on youth suicide attempts in New York City, highlighting the urgent need for mental health support in schools. She emphasized …

11:27:49

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3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Brett Zaffer, Parent from The Bronx, on Preschool Special Education Services

Brett Zaffer, a parent from The Bronx, testified about his experience with preschool special education for his daughter Samantha, who has Down syndrome. He highlighted the benefits of the program …

11:31:10

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132 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Dr. Eduardo Antonetti, Senior Director of Advancement at Internationals Network

Dr. Eduardo Antonetti from Internationals Network testifies about the organization's work supporting immigrant and refugee youth in New York City public schools. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining funding for …

11:33:31

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131 sec

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Janine Schoen, Parent from PS 321, on Protecting Arts Programs in Public Schools

Janine Schoen, a parent from PS 321 in Brooklyn, testifies before the City Council to advocate for protecting arts programs in public schools. She emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded …

11:36:01

·

3 min

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Kaiser, NYC Community Organizer from Alliance for Quality Education

Kaiser, a community organizer for the Alliance for Quality Education, testified on the importance of various educational programs and the need for stable funding. They emphasized the necessity of social …

11:39:17

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3 min

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