That number is expected to drop as enrollments fluctuate this fall and budget cuts to schools strain classrooms.
The Fair Student Funding formula was developed in 2006 and implemented in 2007 under former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, replacing the methods previous DOE administrations used. It uses a ‘weighted per pupil’ funding model, meaning it’s an extra complicated way for the state and city to give money to schools based on how many kids they have.
Joseph said in her newsletter that the current FSF model also “fails to account” for the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent federal dollars that elected officials knew would run out. Speaker Adrienne Adams and Councilmembers Gayle Brewer, Shekar Krishnan and Lincoln Restler, among others, got into heated exchanges with the DOE during the public hearings.
Renee Freeman is a paraprofessional at the Academy of Medical Technology in Far Rockaway Queens. She joined the United Teachers Federation in loudly rallying outside City Hall during the public hearings on the education budget.
My opinion: sadly, the quality of life in NYC has declined, esp. for children. Lots of $ spent on covid initiatives. When you add fear of a child vaccine mandate into the mix, parents will make other choices.