CM Dinowitz questions OMB on K-12 special education funding gap
Dinowitz raises that DOE requested approximately $40 million for K-12 special education programs including AIMS, NEST, and Horizon, which were not funded. Solomon notes $150 million invested in special ed pre-K and ongoing discussions about K-12 within the funding envelope.
Thank you, Chair.
Good morning.
Yesterday we held our executive budget hearing with the Department of Education, and yesterday
They testified that they submitted a new needs request for K-12 special education programming, including their AIMS, NEST, and Horizon programs.
Notably, this budget does not include increases in K-12 special education.
They testified, additionally, that these funds would reduce due process cases for Carter cases for tuitions at private schools.
That was their testimony.
And therefore, it would reduce the costs to our city's budget by doing what we're supposed to be doing, which is educating every child.
First, how much did DOE request for this, and why was this request not funded?
So we are obviously continuing to talk to DOE about their new needs overall, and particularly on the due process cases.
As you know, we've made, and as I mentioned in my testimony, we've made investments to the tune of $150 million in special ed pre-K.
In pre-K, I'm speaking specifically of K-12.
Yes.
Absolutely.
You're talking K through 12.
But I'm just saying that we did make investments, $150 million in special ed pre-K, in making sure that IESP, so that we're having lower costs in terms of children that need services.
We're looking at K through 12, and we're looking at the overall funding envelope.
Ultimately, we've made many investments in DOE within our executive budget, so we're looking at the available funding, and we're happy to talk to you in the next few weeks.
Okay, to be clear, how much money did they request?
Liz, do you know exactly what the new need was?
I don't have that on me, but I will get it for you.
Okay, we can get that today.
That's in an email somewhere, or is it in a...
We're happy to follow up with you.
Today?
Yep, I can do it right now.
Thank you, Liz.
Thank you so much.
It was around $40 million.
Okay, thank you.
And to be clear, they testify that for Ames, for example, there are 510 seats, but 2,070 applicants.
That was just for the Ames program.
Fantastic graduation rates, attendance rates, success rates.