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    PUBLIC TESTIMONY
            Testimony by Sheree Gibson, Citywide Title I Parent Leader on Education Budget
5:31:44
·
124 sec
Sheree Gibson, a Citywide Title I Parent Leader, expressed appreciation for the baseline funding of several education programs in the FY 2026 executive budget while urging for long-term funding for summer programming. She highlighted the importance of summer programs for children's development and families' well-being.
- Praised baseline funding for arts programming, community schools, and high-impact tutoring
- Emphasized the need for $80 million in long-term funding for summer programming
- Shared personal experiences of the benefits of summer activities for herself and her child
                                
                                    Sheree Gibson
                                
                            
                            
                                            
                                            5:31:44
                                        
                                        good afternoon.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:31:45
                                        
                                        Sheri Gibson.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:31:47
                                        
                                        Are we gonna go down into okay.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:31:49
                                        
                                        Chair Joseph, Chair Brannan, thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today about the proposed education budget.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:31:58
                                        
                                        My name is Sheri Gibson.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:32:00
                                        
                                        I am a proud New York City Public School alum, a high school parent, a citywide title one parent leader, and education advocate.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:32:08
                                        
                                        I am pleased that the fiscal year '20 '20 '6 executive budget includes long term funding for a number of important education programs that have annually been at risk for cuts that we've long advocated for their permanent funding.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:32:23
                                        
                                        Several we'll name today.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:32:24
                                        
                                        The ones close to my heart that I uplift and show appreciation for their baseline funding our arts programming, community schools, and high impact tutoring.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:32:34
                                        
                                        Thank you.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:32:35
                                        
                                        We are grateful.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:32:37
                                        
                                        However, the executive budget leaves several programs without long term funding, extending funding for only one year.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:32:45
                                        
                                        Once again, creating instability and uncertainty for students, families, and the system as a whole.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:32:51
                                        
                                        With urgency, I am asking the council to include $80,000,000 in long term funding for summer programming in the final budget.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:33:00
                                        
                                        This funding provides our children with recreational activities, arts and field trips in addition to academic achievement.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:33:08
                                        
                                        For families like mine and for thousands of others, summer programming isn't a luxury, it's a lifeline.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:33:17
                                        
                                        As a parent who benefited from summer activities myself, I know firsthand the power of these programs.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:33:24
                                        
                                        They give our children more than just a place to go, they offer hope, opportunity, and a sense of belonging.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:33:31
                                        
                                        We parents want real peace of mind knowing our kids are learning, making friends, and building memories, not left behind or left out.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:33:40
                                        
                                        My own child participated in summarizing for two summers.
                                    
                                            
                                            5:33:44
                                        
                                        I saw the joy, the growth, and yes the challenges.
                                    