New York City’s Department of Education (DOE) has received an additional $680 million for its fiscal year 2027 budget, bringing the total to $38.6 billion. This marks an increase of nearly $4 billion from the previous year, with public school funding now accounting for almost a third of the city’s total $126 billion spending plan. The funding boost comes at a time when the school system is experiencing declining enrollment and ahead of a projected loss of 153,000 students over the next decade.
This increase in funding includes approximately $400 million allocated to maintain flat funding in schools with decreasing enrollment, $100 million for school cleaning costs that were not included in Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s initial proposal, and $42 million in additions from the City Council for social-emotional support programs and art activities.
Critics, such as Andrew Rein of the Citizens Budget Commission, argue that budgeting for non-existent students is inefficient and diverts funds from other essential city programs or reserve building. New York City already dedicates approximately 50% more per student than other large urban districts like Los Angeles and Chicago, according to federal data.
Despite the significant financial investment, recent academic performance data from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, often referred to as the "Nation's Report Card," shows persistent challenges. Only one-third of fourth graders met proficiency standards in math, and 28% in reading. For eighth graders, proficiency rates were 23% in math and 29% in reading.
Furthermore, the city faces a significant issue with student absenteeism, with nearly 35% of students, approximately 300,000 children, considered chronically absent in recent years. The current enrollment stands at 780,000 students, making the per-pupil cost, based on the new DOE budget, around $49,500.
Mayor Mamdani had previously stated his intention to control school spending, particularly focusing on the roughly $10 billion allocated to contracts and consultants within the DOE's budget, suggesting that some of this spending could be reduced through efficiency measures and by eliminating duplicative processes.
Details of the FY2027 budget, including the substantial education funding increase, were released late last week, days after the City Council approved the budget on June 29. The timing of the release has raised questions about whether Council members were fully aware of the extent of the added funding for the DOE when they voted.
The budget approval process itself was not without contention, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressing concerns. Republicans, in particular, noted the reversal of a promise to add 580 new police officers, a decision that allowed the mayor to secure support from progressive factions. The final budget also included a $29 million reduction to the NYPD budget, despite the mayor's earlier public defense of increased police staffing.
Bronx Councilwoman Althea Stevens was the sole Democrat to vote against the budget, citing concerns about equitable resource distribution and asserting that the Bronx did not receive a fair share of the allocated funds. City Hall and the DOE have not provided comment on the budget details.