May 14, 2026 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Mayor Mamdani’s First Executive Budget Proposal: A step in the right direction, and more is needed. 

New York, NY – In his first months in office, Mayor Mamdani successfully navigated a looming deficit without cutting critical services, even as Governor Hochul refused to fairly tax the ultra-wealthy. New Yorkers for Racially Just Public Schools (RJPS) applauds the Mayor for taking steps in the right direction with the release of his Executive Budget Proposal. For too long, we have been forced to defend NYC public schools against draconian cuts and threats to essential programming.

We specifically highlight the following investments:

• Early Childhood & Universal Childcare: $40 million to provide a 2% across-the-board raise for CBO workers operating 3-K and Pre-K programs and a 5% increase for family child care providers within networks.
• Class Size Reduction: The $1.5 billion capital investment and $122 million to hire 1,000 new teachers represent a strong down payment on class size reduction. We recognize that this adjusted investment level is a direct result of the previous administration’s lack of commitment.
• Summer Rising: Baselining $106 million for Summer Rising is a critical step in securing the program’s future.
• Special Education: Shifting $86 million toward direct services and $67 million toward Pre-K seats ensures support reaches the students who need it most.
• Every Child and Family is Known: Baselining $2.8 million to transition this initiative from a pilot to a permanent program is vital for our most vulnerable students and families.
• Libraries: Restoring $31.7 million funding for libraries.

While we celebrate the Mayor’s commitment to these essential programs, more is required to build the world-class education system our students deserve. We outlined these priorities in our policy roadmap. We understand that with looming federal cuts, the Mayor and City Council must make strategic decisions regarding city funds. Central to this strategy must be a reformed Fair Student Funding formula that prioritizes equity by directing more resources to schools with concentrated poverty and students in temporary housing.

As the Council takes on the Mayor’s budget proposal, we will continue call for investments that:

• Protect and expand restorative justice and mental health access
• Expand Community Schools 
• Reinvest in Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education 
• Fund District Diversity Planning for true Integration 
• Fund a Commission for Democratic School Governance 
• Use public money to fund truly public education, not privatization 
• Baseline essential programs so that staff and communities can rely on them

We look forward to partnering with City Hall and the City Council to ensure New Yorkers receive a budget that reflects the greatness of our city. We uplift the spending and revenue plans outlined by the NYC People’s Plan and reiterate our call for a tax on the ultra-wealthy to fully fund our future.