Chancellor Samuels on vision and community engagement

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Good afternoon, Speaker Menon.

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Good afternoon, Speaker Menon, Education Chair Dynowitz, Finance Chair Lee, Early Childhood Chair Gutierrez, the Committee on Education and Finance, and the Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education.

Thank you for inviting me to testify on the fiscal year 2027 executive budget.

I am New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamari Samuels, and I am joined by my first deputy chancellor, Daniel Ginta, chief financial officer, Sarita Scott, and other members of my senior leadership team.

The mayor's FY 2027 executive budget for NYC public schools, which totals $44.9 billion, will both

sustain critical programming and enable us to enact a new vision for our schools.

One shaped directly by our communities and aligned to the administration's plan for a vibrant, equitable, and affordable New York City.

Since my last testimony, I have continued to engage deeply with our students, families, and staff.

I visited schools in all 45 superintendents districts and completed a 10-stop chancellor conversation tour.

Soon we will publish a report.

detailing what we heard on that tour and how those insights will inform our work.

We've gathered extensive community feedback on high priority topics such as AI, held listening sessions specifically with students and families residing in shelters and more.

These conversations have continued to shape my educational vision, one focused on safety, academic rigor, and true integration with a consistent through line of family empowerment.