IBO budget analysis finds dubious priorities at DOE

More administrators and cuts to classrooms. That’s the mayor’s education spending plan for 2012, according to the city’s Independent Budget Office. The IBO, which under the City Charter must review the city’s proposed budget each year, finds spending on traditional public school classrooms would decline by $207 million if the mayor’s budget passes as written. But spending on central administration would increase by 10 percent or $35 million, adding 218 positions. Charter schools, nonpublic schools and systemwide costs would get an extra $689 million, consultants would get $39 million and computer services another $36 million. And teachers? Well, they’d get layoffs. “While New York City weathered the recession far better than many of us had expected and the rebound has also been surprisingly strong, the city continues to face economic and budget challenges,” budget office director Ronnie Lowenstein wrote. Read the IBO press release or its full report.