Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral control of NYC schools in jeopardy as state budget talks drag on
ALBANY — A four-year extension of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s control over city schools could be in jeopardy as state budget negotiations race towards a finish over the next two weeks.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposal to grant Mamdani a four-year extension of mayor control over schools could be reduced to two years or dropped altogether, according to four sources close to talks.
The item is being discussed in tandem with long-rumored tweaks, likely delays, to the law stipulating class sizes that DOE says is costing hundred of millions of dollars to implement.
A four-year extension of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s control over city schools could be in jeopardy as state budget negotiations race towards a finish over the next two weeks. Matthew McDermott for NY Post
“I think it’s more on the table in terms of discussing an extension of mayoral control of the New York City school system,” state Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris (D-Queens) said Monday of the class size law.
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“I don’t know whether it will be inside or outside the budget, but it’s all happening simultaneously,” he added about the mayoral control extension.
Hochul confirmed to reporters Tuesday morning that class size law talks were very much still alive after alluding to so a few weeks ago.
“Class size is something that’s there’s conversations about the financial impact immediately on that, and whether or not that has to happen in this year,” Hochul said.
NYC Mayor Mamdani joined by a group of District 2 Pre-K students while announcing the city’s free childcare. Matthew McDermott for NY Post
Ex-Mayor Eric Adams had to beg Albany to grant him an extension of mayoral control, as many mayors do, though the issue has remained subdued in this year’s talks.
Other lawmakers pushed back on the notion that mayoral control could drop from the massive $263 billion budget package entire.
Assembly Education Committee Chairman Michael Benedetto (D-Bronx) said mayoral control dropping merely a “rumor.”
