Mayor Adams Faces Uphill Battle for Continued Control of NYC School System

New York City Mayor Eric Adams is gearing up for a challenging battle as he seeks to extend mayoral control over the city’s public school system. The negotiations with state lawmakers are expected to be tough, with legislators expressing concerns over Adams’ budget cuts and resistance to reducing class sizes. The issue of mayoral control is becoming a focal point as the annual legislative session kicks off in Albany.

State Senator John Liu, who heads the Senate’s New York City Education Committee, highlighted legislators’ criticisms of the mayor’s handling of education, including ongoing budget cuts and reluctance to embrace class size reduction. Adams faces an uphill task, especially after his defeat in 2022 when lawmakers granted only a two-year extension instead of the four years he sought.

More than 100 individuals attended a state legislative hearing on Thursday to discuss mayoral control, expressing a range of opinions. Some called for an end to mayoral control, citing Adams’ recent budget cuts, while others voiced support. The state Education Department is conducting hearings to gather feedback on the policy’s effectiveness and will submit a report by the end of March.

Mayoral control, established in 2002, shifts control over public education to mayors from local school boards, with the current law expiring on June 30. Adams, like his predecessors, is expected to advocate for a four-year extension. However, legislators view it as leverage over the mayor, particularly in light of concerns about compliance with class size reduction laws.

Adams, weakened by low approval ratings, budgetary challenges, and a federal probe into his 2021 campaign, met with legislative leaders in Albany to discuss the issue. Lawmakers remain cautious about extending mayoral control if Adams does not adhere to class size regulations set for 2028.

The debate underscores growing dissatisfaction with the mayoral control structure, with some advocating for changes to boost transparency and community involvement. The issue is likely to shape negotiations in Albany in the coming months.