Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
REMARKS
Council Member Brooks-Powers asks about special education services, class size reduction, and COVID funding
0:53:24
ยท
133 sec
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, improving IEP evaluations, ensuring space and resources for smaller class sizes, and plans to fill the funding gap left by expiring COVID relief funds.
- Inquires about funding to address delays in special education services
- Questions DOE's approach to class size reduction compliance, especially in high-need areas
- Asks about plans to sustain programs after federal COVID funding expires
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:53:24
Thank you, chair.
0:53:25
So I know that you've been asking questions on IEP.
0:53:29
I just wanted to kind of ask a couple of additional questions because many of the families in my district have shared ongoing challenges with securing special education services due to delays and bureaucratic obstacles.
0:53:45
So I just wanted to get a sense in terms of and if you've asked this earlier before I got on, I apologize.
0:53:51
But what specific funding allocations in this budget will address the delays and ensure timely access to services for students with disabilities?
0:54:01
And how is DOE working to improve the efficiency of IEP evaluations and service delivery, particularly in historically underserved communities?
0:54:12
And then in terms of the class size reduction compliance, with the new state regulations requiring the smaller class sizes, how is DOE ensuring that schools, especially those in high need areas, have the space, staffing, and resources necessary to meet the requirements.
0:54:30
I know in my district, particular, chance I've reached out, about one school already that's on the campus of Far Rockaway High School is a middle school that does not have the real estate capital, to be able to, to expand in the way that they need to.
0:54:49
And so there are other schools that face that challenge.
0:54:52
So just wanting to understand how DOE is navigating this to ensure that we are meeting the class size reduction compliance.
0:55:03
And if there's specific funding in this budget allocated to support these schools in making the necessary adjustments, I'd like to know what those are.
0:55:14
And my last question is around the federal COVID funding and fiscal sustainability.
0:55:19
Each year, ask this question.
0:55:21
Now with the expire the expiration of the federal COVID relief funds, how does DOE plan to fill the funding gap and ensure that critical programs are not disrupted?
0:55:33
And let me know if you need me to repeat any of the questions.
0:55:36
Thank you.