WEINER PLEDGES GREATER TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN EDUCATION BUDGET

REAL ANSWERS FOR PARENTS, TAXPAYERS

A FOUR STEP PLAN:
TO ENSURE THAT EDUCATION DOLLARS GO TO REAL PRIORITIES FIRST –
TEACHER RAISES AND CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION

New York City – Today, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens & Brooklyn) outlined his four step plan to ensure that education dollars are spent on real priorities first, like teacher raises and classrooms, instead of going to waste.

Standing with education advocates, Weiner called for greater transparency and accountability in the Department of Education’s (DOE) budget.

Greater Transparency - The Department of Education overspent by between $156 and $236 million in last year’s schools budget—but not a dollar of that went to teacher raises. As Mayor, Weiner will make sure our schools are fully funded, but he will also let taxpayers and parents know how the money is being spent by putting the specific line items in the budget online, listed school by school.

Greater Accountability – Prior to the Mayor assuming control of the schools, all contracts entered into by the Department of Education above $100,000 were subject to public hearing, but those hearings are no longer taking place. As Mayor, Weiner will require the hearings so that the DOE’s fiscal decisions can be held to public account.

Presumption for New York Vendors -- The DOE spends millions of dollars contracting with outside vendors every year, located as far a-field as Australia. New York City is home to the brightest minds and best educators in the world. As Mayor, Weiner will implement a rule requiring the DOE to contract with local vendors whenever possible, helping the New York City economy, keeping costs down, and freeing up dollars to be spent on real priorities.

Teacher Conferences in the Five Boroughs – The DOE spends thousands of dollars a year on teacher conferences. Some take place in New York City, some don’t. As Mayor, Weiner will require conferences to be held in the five boroughs whenever possible, also keeping costs down and freeing up dollars to be spent on real priorities.

“We need to be sure that education dollars go to real priorities first, like teacher pay raises and classroom instruction,” said Rep. Weiner. “I am committed to doing that as Mayor. Greater transparency and accountability in the education budget will ensure that the way we spend parent’s education dollars is more in line with how parents want them to be spent—to help their kids.”

The Weiner education plan rests on three pillars: a pay raise for teachers to keep the best and the brightest in New York City classrooms; a back to basics curriculum to make sure our kids are prepared to go on to college and rewarding careers; and restoring the authority of principals and teachers to discipline unruly students.