He promised to cut school waste. Instead, he quietly gave them $680 million more.

He promised to cut school waste. Instead, he quietly gave them $680 million more.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani boosted New York City's school spending to $38.6 billion, even as classroom enrollment continues to drop.

Every taxpayer wants to believe their hard-earned money is spent with care. But a quiet change to the city budget shows how quickly promises to cut waste can turn into massive new spending.

WHAT HAPPENED

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani quietly added $680 million more to the public school budget for fiscal year 2027. This brings total school spending to an eye-watering $38.6 billion, which is nearly a third of all city spending.

The massive boost comes even though the school system is losing students. The city currently spends about $49,500 per pupil, which is 50% more than other major cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.

Some of the hidden funds include $400 million to keep school budgets flat where enrollment is down, plus $100 million for cleaning costs. Critics say this budget pays for students who do not exist.

FACT BOX

• Total school budget: $38.6 billion (up nearly $4 billion from last year)
• Quiet budget increase: $680 million more than the mayor first proposed
• Average cost per pupil: $49,500 for the 780,000 enrolled students
• Chronic absenteeism: About 35% of students (300,000 kids) are regularly missing class
• Test scores: Only about a third of fourth graders are proficient in math and reading

WHY IT MATTERS

When a city spends almost $50,000 per student but test scores stay low, parents and taxpayers get hurt. Families lose out on other vital services like police and parks while paying for empty desks.

The quiet nature of the deal shows how backroom political trades can shape how billions of dollars are spent. Lawmakers and the public were left in the dark for days before the details came out.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The city school system expects to lose another 153,000 students over the next ten years. School leaders will have to face critics who want to know why costs keep rising while classrooms empty out.

Mayor Mamdani will likely face tough questions about his past promise to cut contract waste, especially as other city agencies like the police department see their budgets cut.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

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1. Did City Council lawmakers know about the extra half-billion dollars before they voted on the final budget?

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1. Will the extra school funding lead to better test scores and fewer absent students?

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1. Which specific school programs or contracts will see their funding cut, if any?

SOURCE NOTE

This report is based on reporting by The New York Post.