Speaker Menin on DOE executive budget investments and concerns
Speaker Menin delivers opening remarks noting investments in early childhood education, special education, and Learning to Work, while raising concerns about the $922.2 million savings plan and lack of transparency in DOE contracting.
Thank you so much, Chair Lee.
Good morning, Chancellor.
Good morning, First Deputy Chancellor and your entire team.
Today, we will, of course, as the Chair said, be discussing...
saying the Department of Education's executive budget for fiscal 2027.
The executive plan includes significant investments in our education system.
As a shared priority between the council and the mayor, we are happy to see investments in early childhood education, programming for students with disabilities, and learning to work, among many other crucial services included in the most recent plan.
The executive plan includes an additional $81.5 million in fiscal 2027 for early childhood education, on top of the hundreds of millions of dollars included in the preliminary plan.
These investments are critical as we work towards a universal child care system.
We are also pleased to see funding to increase contract rates for ECE providers who have not seen an increase since 2022, despite rising operating costs.