For Immediate Release: March 31, 2019
Contact: Abdul Sada – asada@skdknick.com
FY 2020 STATE BUDGET MOVES TOWARD FUNDING EQUITY FOR NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS
NYC Charter and District Schools Receive Nearly Identical Rate Increase in Funding
Charter Cap Still Needs to be Addressed
The Charter Center Applauds the Approval of the José R. Peralta DREAM Act
(NEW YORK) – The New York City Charter School Center CEO, James Merriman, released the following statements after the New York State Legislature approved a set of budget bills that include funding increases for the 2019-20 school year for New York City public schools and the full implementation of the José R. Peralta DREAM Act.
The final New York State Budget, once signed by Governor Cuomo, increases state funding for charter schools at similar rates - 3.7% for charters and 3.8% for district schools.
“We thank Governor Cuomo and lawmakers in the Assembly and Senate for their hard work. This budget is a big step toward equity in public school funding; although we are still funded less than district schools, we appreciate the budget keeping our increase in funding on par with district schools’ increase”, said Charter Center CEO James Merriman. “We look forward to continuing to work with the legislature to address critical issues in NYC education, including lifting the arbitrary cap on NYC charter schools that was reached earlier this month.”
Charter Center CEO, James Merriman, recently submitted a testimony before the New York State Senate Finance Committee and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee to advocate for increased charter funding in the governor’s proposed budget.
The 2019-20 school year budget increase for charter schools means:
- NYC charter schools will receive approximately $16,154 in statutory per-pupil funding in the 2019-20 school year – which, along with a $24.9 million supplemental appropriation, represents a 3.72% increase from the 2018-19 school year.
The 2019-20 Budget also included $27 million to fully fund and implement the José R. Peralta DREAM Act. Undocumented children who are already students in New York State, can now qualify for state aid for higher education, access to college scholarship opportunities, and college savings programs.
“We also applaud the governor and legislature for making the José R. Peralta DREAM Act a reality. This piece of legislation is the right thing to do, especially given our current moment in history”, said Charter Center CEO James Merriman. Students from across the state – whether in public charters, traditional district or private schools - will benefit in the years to come.”
For more information about the New York City Charter School Center visit www.nyccharterschools.org.
###