How NYC schools spend $7 billion in COVID federal relief

Recall that the federal government approved billions of dollars in relief to local governments and school districts, including more than $7 billion for New York City schools.

Elected officials feared last winter that school budgets across New York would have to be slashed considering the stalled economy and projections of plummeting tax revenue.

According to the readers responding to a Chalkbeat survey last spring, families and educators dreamed big. Many called for smaller class sizes. Some wanted more social workers and reading specialists. They wished for new after-school programs and devices for children.

An analysis by the Independent Budget Office (IBO) has confirmed that some of the funding will cover many of the items on the readers’ wishlists, as well as providing funds to cover the costs of keeping school buildings operating and academic recovery.

However, the largest chunk of the budget, about $1.9 billion will be for an expansion of the city’s prekindergarten program for 3-year-olds over the next several years.

Also, a little less than half of the total budget is being spent this school year, with the rest earmarked for initiatives through the 2024-25 school year.