Gov. Hochul proposes additional charter schools in NYC, sparking immediate backlash

Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed Wednesday increasing the number of charter schools that can open in New York City, sparking immediate backlash from union officials and progressive state lawmakers who oppose the privately run schools that receive public funds.

The proposed changes, outlined in her executive budget, would scrap regional limits on charter schools in the city and revive so-called “zombie” charters — schools included in the charter tally that have ceased operations.

An estimated 100 additional charters could be up for grabs citywide as a result of the proposal, though Hochul would keep a statewide cap at 460 operators. Roughly 275 charter schools currently operate in NYC.

“What we’re trying to do is something that is just common sense,” Hochul told reporters following the budget address. “This legislature approved 460 charter slots in New York state. That number has not been achieved.”

“Simply combining those two numbers does not raise the cap. It simply says, let’s just simplify the process,” she added.

But her plan was immediately blasted by key state lawmakers and city and state teachers unions, who said it would increase the financial burden and take away resources from traditional public schools. The city is required to provide space for charters in its buildings or reimburse their rent.

If approved by the state legislature, the plan would open up more than 80 charters available under the state cap to operators in New York City, who were previously shut out by regional limits. Hochul’s proposal would also throw more than 20 “zombie” charters back into play statewide that have closed since 2015, whether the schools did not renew their programs or had them revoked.

After remaining mum on the issue of the charter cap for months, Hochul gave an one-word answer during a gubernatorial debate in October that “yes,” she supports lifting the cap.

But recent attempts to expand the number of NYC charter schools have met fierce pushback from a Democrat-controlled state legislature and teachers unions.

“The naked attempt to remove the cap on charters in NYC is a nonstarter,” said State Sen. John Liu, who chairs the NYC education committee. “The cap has historically served to strike the balance between giving parents so-called ‘choice’ and the constitutional requirement to keep public schools open, and it’s not common sense to upset that balance.”

Liu also joined State Sens. Shelley Mayer, chair of the education committee, and Robert Jackson, who sued the state for underfunding city public schools, in a statement that the lawmakers are “disturbed and disappointed” by the governor’s proposal that she “failed to include” in her State of the State earlier this month.

Hochul’s plan comes as three proposals to place programs from the city’s largest charter operator Success Academy in traditional public school buildings were scrapped at the eleventh hour last month, under intense pressure by bigwig elected officials like State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

Heastie said the governor mentioned the charter school proposal on Tuesday night, but that he had yet to see the full plan or discuss it with members.

“The Assembly’s focus really is about — has always been about — trying to take care of the needs of the traditional public schools,” he told reporters.

Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, told the Daily News the recent Success Academy controversy shows local parents were “pretty clear” that they rejected new charters in the city system.

“It was couched under ‘this is common sense,’” said Mulgrew, referencing the governor’s remarks earlier that day. “No, I think people need to do their homework before they make public statements.”

“If you put too many charters in an area, it will take up more of the taxpayer dollars. It will tip the public schools, and their students then will be greatly harmed. So that’s why the original law was based on being geographic,” he added.

Success Academy founder and chief executive officer Eva Moskowitz disagreed, saying: “Now Albany needs to get behind this common sense solution and ensure it becomes law — that kids win over politics.”

While Success Academy has expanded to new buildings by adding grade levels, new schools opened under Hochul’s proposal would be the first charters issued downstate in nearly four years, according to StudentsFirstNY.

“Governor Hochul has set the table, and we must ensure the legislature listens to parents and delivers a much-needed win for New York City families,” said Crystal McQueen-Taylor, executive director of the school choice advocacy group.

The executive budget also increases per-pupil funding to New York City charter schools by 4.5 percent under a statutory formula.

“A budget is a reflection of priorities — and with this budget proposal, Governor Hochul has proven that she prioritizes the voices and needs of students and families first,” said James Merriman, chief executive officer of the New York City Charter School Center, who vowed to work with the state “to see this proposal through.”

“Governor Hochul promised New York parents and families she would support their right to choose the best school for their child and her budget plans do just that,” said Jacquelyn Martell, executive director of Democrats for Education New York, a school choice advocacy group.

“The Governor’s proposal to raise the arbitrary charter cap on New York City will open more opportunities for thousands of children of color living in low-income communities,” she added.

A final budget is due April 1.

Denis Slattery contributed reporting.