NYC Schools Could Get $300M, If Teachers Fall In Line

UFT President Michael Mulgrew reacted to Mayor Michael Bloomberg's executive budget for 2013, which could potentially close firehouses while filling a big budget gap for schools.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the final executive budget on his watch could increase school spending by about $300M without a tax hike. If he gets his way, that is.

The main beneficiary of the budget is the public school system which would see a budget increase from $13.3B from fiscal year 2012 to $13.6B for 2013.

But it comes with a catch. Unless the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) agrees to a teacher evaluation system, "amendments to the education budget will be necessary to compensate for the loss of funding," the mayor's office said in a release.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew reacted to the budget, saying, "New York City has lost thousands of teachers over the last few years and it's good news to hear that we will be adding educators to the system."

"I can't thank Christine Quinn and the City Council enough for making education a priority," he continued. "In terms of the mayor's statement about 'serious negotiations' surrounding teacher evaluations, he is the one who walked away from $70 million in federal money by refusing to negotiate a 33-school pilot program of the new evaluation system.

"The UFT went to Albany to fight for better teacher evaluations, and we will continue to work toward a system that works for the students and teachers of New York."

Bloomberg credited the growth in the overall tax base as a key element of the budget. "Our budget won't impose any new taxes on New Yorkers, maintains the strength of the NYPD and continues our strong support for public schools," he said. "We’re able to make all of those commitments as a result of years of fiscal care, foresight and a constructive partnership with the City Council."

He pointed to his administration's policies within a variety of industries with the growth in private sector jobs. He said the resulting increase in business have increased the tax revenue stream enough without further demands on businesses and individuals.

"His strategy, year after year, is to cut items like libraries and firehouses and leave it to the City Council to restore them. This budget dance is designed to handcuff Council Members in their deliberations, and it is frankly a disservice to New Yorkers. We should have a real discussion of spending priorities and revenue-raising options this budget cycle. I hope the Mayor will come to the negotiating table in good faith."

Forest Hills Congressional candidate and assembly member Grace Meng was quick to respond to the mayor's budget.

“In the face of ever-increasing class sizes and students with special needs failing to receive the attention they require, I’m glad Mayor Bloomberg has finally seen the light of day on the need to hire more teachers,” Meng said. “But that doesn’t make up for the fact that his budget will force parents to choose between taking care of their kids and showing up for work. It doesn’t negate the damage of cutting vital after-school programs and depriving our youth of safe, educational activities while pushing them onto the street.”