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

0:03:55

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85 sec

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 maintaining and expanding investments in education.

$223 million in funding for programs like arts education, restorative justice, and tutoring is only included in the fiscal 2025 budget, putting their future at risk
Schools are still dealing with higher chronic absenteeism rates, learning loss, and mental health concerns compared to pre-pandemic levels
Joseph argues for baselining vital programs such as the mental health continuum, teacher recruitment, and community schools to allow for focus on expansion in other areas

Rita Joseph

0:03:55

And at the city level crucial programs again find themselves at risk in the mayor's budget.

0:04:00

Last year with advocacy of parents, families, and students and support from our state partners, the council worked with New York City Public Schools and the administration to cover over 500,000,000 in expiring federal stimulus dollars.

0:04:16

While some of these fundings was baseline, 223,000,000 was included in fiscal twenty twenty five only.

0:04:24

This includes funding for arts education, restorative justice, tutoring among other programs our students and families rely on.

0:04:33

The future of these programs is in jeopardy.

0:04:36

Our schools are still recovering from the effects of COVID.

0:04:40

Our level of chronic absenteeism are still higher than before the pandemic.

0:04:44

Students are still recovering from learning loss, and mental health issues are still of high concern.

0:04:51

Now is the time to slow now now it's not the time to slow down our investments.

0:04:55

While we look to support our teachers, students, and families, there are multiple vital programs that the council must fight for every year.

0:05:03

This includes funding for mental health continuum, teacher recruitment, and community schools.

0:05:09

Baselining these programs will allow for the New York City public schools to focus on expansion in other areas for improvement instead of having the same fight every year.

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