For Immediate Release

Mayor calls for education budget cuts

Jan 24, 2008 5:43 PM

Citing the darkening economic outlook, Mayor Bloomberg called for a $180 million reduction to the Department of Education this fiscal year and $325 million in the next in his $58.5 billion Fiscal Year 2009 preliminary budget. His plan to reduce spending in virtually every city agency by 2.5% in the current fiscal year and 5% in FY 2009, along with other revenue actions, should save the city $1.42 billion over two years, he said.

UFT President Randi Weingarten responded with the following statement:

“Even though we are facing uncertain economic times, it is crucial for the city to protect core educational services in our public schools as we try to build upon the momentum of academic improvement we’ve made in recent years. The stakes are higher than ever with schools, principals, teachers and students all being held more accountable, which means the system must be provided with the resources needed to continue to lower class sizes, expand career and technical education, improve our middle schools and provide more counseling services. We also need funds to look beyond more test preparation for students and add classes in music, art and science in order to educate the whole child.”