LOWER CLASS SIZE BILL AND TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF MAYORAL CONTROL PASS ASSEMBLY AND SENATE

This was in the NY Post:

 A bill to shrink class sizes in New York City schools has passed the state legislature — despite strong opposition from Mayor Eric Adams, who is expected to maintain accountability over the school system for the next two years.

The legislation, tied up with an extension of mayoral control during negotiations, limits the number of students per classroom over a phase-in period of five years.

It passed both the state Senate and state Assembly Thursday and into Friday. If signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul, kindergarten through third grade classes would be capped at 20 students; fourth through eighth grade at 23 students; and high school at 25 students.

“When we say small class sizes, I don’t even know if that’s the right term,” said State Sen. John Liu, who chairs the Committee on New York City Education, on the senate floor. “Because the plan — this legislation — calls for class sizes that are closer to the national norm, even closer to the rest of the state.”

“The class sizes in the city of New York are substantially larger than the rest of the state and the rest of the country,” he added.

The lower class sizes will phase in over five years and there are plenty of exceptions. Class Size Matters Executive Director Leonie Haimson applauded the passing of the lower class size bill by the Legislature but she also commented on the exceptions:

The legislation includes exceptions for space restrictions or over-enrollment in school buildings — though the capital budget must demonstrate attempts to resolve those problems. It also creates carveouts in the cases of certified teacher shortages and “severe economic distress.”

Haimson told The Post she was concerned about the Adams administration and exemptions, vowing to “work to make sure that he doesn’t falsely claim that the city can’t afford this.”

Senator Liu claimed this is not an unfunded mandate since the state is providing extra funding as a result of the settlement of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity suit.

On mayoral control, a bill was passed for a two-year extension where the Panel for Educational Policy will be expanded from 15 to 23 with the mayor getting 13 members to appoint for fixed one-year terms.

“Today we have a bill that I don’t think anybody would say it’s perfect,” said Liu.

The mayor “will retain a tremendous amount of control over New York City public schools,” he added. “At the same time, we’ve heard our constituents, we’ve heard the parents of New York City school kids. And we’re making the system more responsive to them.”

Hochul still has to sign both bills but it is difficult to see her vetoing either one in an election year.