NYC Mayor Seeks Delay in Class Size Law Compliance

Mamdani administration looks to negotiate with state lawmakers for more time to meet mandated classroom caps

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:20pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, blurred image of a crowded classroom, with students and teachers visible in soft, warm tones, conveying the challenges of reducing class sizes in New York City schools.As the city struggles to meet class size mandates, the mayor seeks more time to find creative solutions that balance budgets and equity.NYC Today

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is pushing to delay the implementation of a state law that requires 80% of public school classrooms to have no more than 20-25 students by the upcoming school year. The city has struggled to meet the law's benchmarks and is facing the threat of funding cuts if it fails to comply. Mamdani is seeking an extension from state lawmakers, which could be tied to negotiations over extending his control of the school system.

Why it matters

The class size law is intended to improve educational outcomes, but the city has faced challenges in meeting the mandated caps, including a lack of classroom space and funding. A delay could provide more time for the city to develop a plan, but it also raises concerns about equity, as the law requires more spending at relatively affluent schools where class sizes tend to be larger.

The details

Under the class size law, 80% of the city's public school classrooms must not exceed 20-25 students (depending on grade level) by the upcoming school year, with all schools required to meet the caps by the 2027-28 school year. However, the city was only able to hit this year's 60% benchmark by exempting thousands of classes from the law, despite spending hundreds of millions to hire more teachers and reconfigure school spaces. Failing to meet the benchmarks could result in hundreds of millions in state funding cuts, which the Mamdani administration is looking to avoid as it grapples with a $5.4 billion budget gap.

  • The class size law's compliance deadline is this upcoming school year.
  • The state budget, which was due on April 1, 2026, is delayed and it's unclear when it will be finalized.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who is seeking to delay the implementation of the class size law.

John Liu

The state senator who sponsored the class size law and is open to allowing the city more time to reach full compliance.

Kamar Samuels

The New York City Schools Chancellor who has said it would be "very difficult" for the city to hit the 80% compliance benchmark by September.

Michael Mulgrew

The president of the United Federation of Teachers, a key backer of the class size mandate, who says the union wants to see a clearer plan from the Education Department before supporting changes to the law.

Leonie Haimson

The executive director of the advocacy group Class Size Matters, who has questioned the mayor's characterization of the City Council's budget proposal.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The question of compliance has too often been a negotiation.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

“Adjustments in the timeline are not meant to provide fiscal relief.”

— John Liu, State Senator

“Only when a real plan and a clear timeline are in place — not the usual School Construction [Authority] smoke and mirrors — would we have the information necessary to consider whether any amendments are needed.”

— Michael Mulgrew, President, United Federation of Teachers

“Isn't [Mamdani] also asking the state for more time to lower class size?”

— Leonie Haimson, Executive Director, Class Size Matters

What’s next

The state budget, which was due on April 1, 2026, is delayed, and it's unclear when it will be finalized. Any deal to extend the class size law compliance timeline is expected to be part of the state budget negotiations, which could also include discussions about extending Mayor Mamdani's control of the school system.

The takeaway

The class size law is a significant education policy that aims to improve student outcomes, but its implementation has proven challenging for the city. Mayor Mamdani's push for a delay highlights the complexities involved, including funding constraints, equity concerns, and the need for a comprehensive plan to meet the mandated classroom caps. The outcome of the state budget negotiations will have major implications for the city's public schools.