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Q&A
Analysis of proposed changes to foundation aid in state budget
6:55:13
ยท
75 sec
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 for New York City schools.
- Mulgrew states that the weight for local cost is good but not sufficient
- He emphasizes the need for adjustments to English language learner weights and inclusion of factors like homelessness in the formula
- Mulgrew notes that the current changes have done a disservice to New York City and mentions ongoing lobbying efforts to address this issue
Rita Joseph
6:55:13
Did you get a chance to analyze the proposed change for foundation aid in the assembly and the senate budget that was just released?
Michael Mulgrew
6:55:19
Yes.
6:55:19
The weight about the local cost is very good, but it's not enough.
6:55:25
We have different you know, New York City, as you all know, is the largest school system with the greatest number of challenges.
6:55:34
The l weights are not right.
6:55:37
Okay?
6:55:37
So we need to have the English language learner weights have to be correct have to be adjusted.
6:55:42
We have to adjust the rates.
6:55:43
We have to include such things as homelessness as part of an actually weighted formula.
6:55:48
There are things that need to be done.
6:55:50
And we've never been against this.
6:55:53
We've been actually advocating for years to change the foundation aid formula, but in a holistic way, not in pick one category way.
6:56:02
And that's what's happened at this point in time.
6:56:04
The state picked one category.
6:56:07
Well, what happened with that one category is it did a disservice to New York City.
6:56:11
So I will say conversations in Albany that there is a recognition that this has to be adjusted and fixed, and we will continue to lobby on behalf of our city school system to make sure to do everything in our power, working with you as always to get this done.