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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Youth Leader at Citizens Committee for Children of New York
6:29:29
·
145 sec
A youth leader representing the Coalition for Equitable Education Funding testifies on the FY 2026 executive budget for education in New York City. He acknowledges positive aspects of the budget while highlighting concerns about programs at risk of cuts or lacking long-term funding.
- Praises the inclusion of long-term funding for programs like 3-K, preschool special education, and community schools
- Expresses concern about the exclusion of student success centers and the one-year-only funding for several important programs
- Calls for baseline funding for at-risk programs and additional investments to support students with the greatest needs
Edward Sanchez
6:29:29
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you.
6:29:31
My name is Edward Sanchez.
6:29:32
I'm a CUNY political science student at Baruch College, a recent graduate of New York City Public Schools for Hamilton High School, and a youth leader at Citizens Committee for Children of New York.
6:29:41
I'm testifying today on behalf of the Coalition for Equitable Education Funding, a group of more than 120 organizations advocating for the resources needed to ensure every student receives a high quality education with a focus on those who need the most support.
6:29:55
We are pleased that the fiscal year twenty twenty six executive budget includes long term funding for a number of important education programs that had been at risk of cuts due to expiring city funding including three k, preschool special education classes, arts programming, community schools, tutoring, and many more.
6:30:13
However, the executive budget leaves out student success centers entirely.
6:30:17
So this program is still at risk and needs continued support.
6:30:21
We know that the student success centers, they train and support youth leaders on how to guide their peers through the college admissions process providing crucial support to students at more than 30 high schools.
6:30:31
Additionally, the executive budget leaves in several important programs without long term funding opting instead to extend their funding for one year only creating uncertainty for the communities they serve and that they need.
6:30:42
Programs that receive funding for one more year only are therefore at risk of getting cuts in 2026 including summer programming to provide students with recreational activities, arts, and field trips in addition to academic enrichment.
6:30:55
Learning to work programs to provide support to over age, under credited students to help them earn a high school diploma and develop a post secondary plan.
6:31:04
Restorative justice programs to help students stay in school and resolve conflicts instead of being suspended.
6:31:09
The mental health continuum to provide mental health care to students at 50 schools, outreach efforts to help ensure families are aware of early childhood programs, and immigrant family outreach to help families receive information about their school's child's school in a language and mode they can access.
6:31:24
We call on the city to baseline funding for these programs in the final fiscal year twenty twenty six budget and make additional investments that are needed to support students, especially those who have the greatest needs.
6:31:34
The coalition the coalition thanks the city council for your strong support and continuing essential education programs.
6:31:40
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
6:31:42
I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
6:31:44
And I'm also personally wanna thank council member Justin Brandon.
6:31:47
I'm a constituent.
6:31:47
I live in Bay Ridge, so hopefully you get to help out and support what the constituents wants and needs.