Story perspectives

NYC Schools Chancellor Warns of Class Size Challenges

3/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Kamar Samuels, NYC Schools Chancellor, says meeting the state class-size mandate by September is very difficult.
The law caps class sizes at 20–25 students by the 2026–27 school year.
Enrollment has declined 17%, yet officials expect ongoing challenges.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani's $127 billion budget includes $543 million for class sizes.
Citizens Budget Commission proposed extending the mandate to save $1.6 billion and State Sen. John Liu would relax the timeline.

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Story summary

Kamar Samuels, NYC Schools Chancellor, says meeting the state class-size mandate by September is very difficult.
The law caps class sizes at 20–25 students by the 2026–27 school year.
Enrollment has declined 17%, yet officials expect ongoing challenges.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani's $127 billion budget includes $543 million for class sizes.
Citizens Budget Commission proposed extending the mandate to save $1.6 billion and State Sen. John Liu would relax the timeline.