State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins of Yonkers expects there to be another deadline extension voted on tomorrow for passing the New York State 2024 Budget. The budget had been due to be in place by April 1, but the deadline was extended while negotiations continued between legislators and Gov. Hochul over funding issues including funds for Medicaid.
The previous deadline extension gave Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano additional opportunities to push for additional state funding for the Yonkers Public Schools, which are showing a budget deficit of more than $80 million.
Citing the loss of federal dollars granted through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs (ESSER) under both the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Act (CRRSA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Spano warned that Yonkers Public Schools risk the elimination of hundreds of positions put in place to deal with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Today we are faced with a situation where the money is running out,” Spano said. “ESSER aid provided us $106 million over three years to staff music, reading, special education, art and language teachers, guidance counselors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, public safety and school aides. We are now at a crossroads that, if not addressed, can devastate our schools. I’m calling on New York state to step up and help us avoid potential cuts.”
Spano pointed out that Yonkers has a school graduation rate of 90%, highest among the five biggest cities in the state.
“Yonkers is not alone, but will be the first of the Big 5 Cities to feel the pinch left by the loss of ESSER funds,” Spano said. “The effects will trickle down to all of the state’s urban districts, where our kids suffer the most. Let’s make sure that does not happen.”
The City of Yonkers Executive Budget is due to be adopted April 15 but Spano said he is delaying his proposed Executive Budget one week pending New York state’s adoption of its own budget, which determine how much money comes to the city from Albany.
