From Charters to Classrooms: What’s Next for NYC Public Schools?
Breaking Down Candidate Promises for NYC’s Classrooms in 2025
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New York City’s public schools, serving over 900,000 students across more than 1,600 institutions, are a cornerstone of the 2025 mayoral race. Candidates are pitching ambitious reforms on charter school caps, teacher pay, gifted and talented (G&T) programs, and mental health supports. But with a $40 billion education budget and complex state-city dynamics, which promises hold water, and which are likely to falter? Let’s dive into the policies, the players, and the practicalities.
Charter School Caps: Expansion or Restriction?
New York State caps the number of charter schools in NYC at 290, with roughly 270 currently operating. This limit, set by Albany, restricts growth unless lawmakers lift it—a process requiring legislative approval beyond the mayor’s control. Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, opposes lifting the cap, arguing charters divert resources from traditional public schools. His platform prioritizes public school investment and shared governance, aligning with progressive groups like the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), which endorsed him in the general election. Eric Adams, running a third-party campaign, has historically supported charters, backed by pro-charter groups in 2021. His administration’s opening of 28 new schools, including charter-like models, suggests he’d push for expansion if re-elected, though he’d need Albany’s blessing. Andrew Cuomo, mulling an independent run, championed charter growth as governor, often clashing with unions. His current campaign hints at renewing this push, leveraging support from hedge fund-backed charter advocates like Whitney Tilson.
Albany’s role is pivotal. Lifting the cap requires state legislative approval, where charter-friendly Republicans and moderate Democrats face off against progressive resistance. Any mayor advocating change must build a coalition in Albany, a tall order given divided interests. Mamdani’s anti-cap stance may resonate with voters but risks stalling without broader public school reforms to counterbalance charter critiques.
Teacher Pay and Retention: Can the Budget Keep Up?
NYC faces a teacher shortage, needing 7,000–9,000 new educators by September 2025 to meet state-mandated class size caps (20–25 students per class). Candidates universally acknowledge the need for better pay to attract and retain talent, but fiscal realities loom large. Mamdani advocates raising teacher salaries to match child care workers, emphasizing equity and union support. His “new deal” for CUNY includes free tuition, indirectly supporting teacher training pipelines. Adams’s administration allocated $23 million in the 2026 budget for teacher recruitment, but critics argue his focus on school safety agents dilutes education funding. Cuomo’s gubernatorial record shows mixed results: he pushed teacher evaluations tied to performance, alienating unions, but also secured funding increases. His current platform lacks specifics on pay, leaving space for doubts about prioritization.
Raising salaries across the board is costly. NYC’s 2026 budget includes $154 million to replace expiring federal funds, but a projected $1.9 billion annual cost for class size compliance strains resources. Candidates must navigate the UFT and Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA), both influential in budget talks. Mamdani’s union alignment gives him leverage, but Adams and Cuomo’s past tensions with UFT could hinder negotiations. Without state or federal aid, widespread pay hikes may remain aspirational.
Gifted and Talented Programs: Reform or Overhaul?
G&T programs, serving 16,500 students, face scrutiny for inequity, with 75% of seats held by white or Asian students despite Black and Latino students comprising two-thirds of the system. Mamdani supports an independent analysis of the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) for bias and backs 2019 diversity recommendations, signaling a push for equitable admissions over outright elimination. Adams expanded G&T by 2,400 seats and introduced dyslexia-focused schools, emphasizing access but maintaining selective structures. Cuomo’s legacy includes defending SHSAT during his governorship, aligning with merit-based admissions, though his current stance is vague.
Reforming G&T or SHSAT requires balancing parent demand with equity goals. Adams’s expansion shows responsiveness but doesn’t address segregation. Mamdani’s reforms need state approval for SHSAT changes, a hurdle given its legal entrenchment. City Council and community input will shape outcomes, but deep divisions—evident in UFT’s primary non-endorsement—complicate consensus.
Mental Health in Schools: Addressing a Crisis
With one out of 10 of NYC high schoolers reporting suicide attempts in 2021, mental health is a pressing issue. Mamdani proposes investing in guidance counselors, social workers, and restorative justice, alongside free after-school programs and a youth advisory committee. Adams’s budget includes $32.4 million for mental health initiatives, but his reversal on shifting school safety from NYPD to the Education Department drew criticism. Cuomo’s platform is light on specifics, though his past support for social services suggests potential alignment.
Implementing school-wide mental health staffing is expensive, with Title I funds ($679 million this year) covering some services but restricted from broader uses like hiring art teachers. Federal cuts, as proposed in Project 2025, threaten $2.2 billion in NYC school funding, including mental health programs. Candidates must secure state or city funds to scale initiatives, a challenge amid post-pandemic recovery costs.
Reality Check: What’s Feasible?
The next mayor wields significant power under mayoral control, appointing the chancellor and shaping the $40 billion budget. But state oversight, union dynamics, and fiscal constraints limit bold reforms. Mamdani’s shared governance model faces resistance from those valuing accountability, while Adams and Cuomo’s charter and merit-based leanings risk union pushback. Class size mandates and teacher hiring are non-negotiable, but funding hinges on Albany and City Council cooperation. Mental health and G&T reforms are achievable with targeted budgets, but charter cap changes require legislative heavy lifting.
Voters should scrutinize candidates’ coalition-building skills and track records. Mamdani’s progressive vision needs pragmatic execution; Adams’s incrementalism must scale up; Cuomo’s experience could falter without union support. Promises abound, but only those backed by strategic alliances and realistic budgets will shape NYC’s schools.
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