Education

Teach NYS visits Albany to advance school aid

Posted Wednesday, March 25, 2026 12:00 am

Rabbi Ari Ginian, executive director of Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island, in Inwood, at a meeting with state lawmakers.

From left: Isaac Gelbfish of Origin Hill Capital; Gov. Kathy Hochul; Rabbi Yosie Levine of the Jewish Center in Manhattan; and Rabbi Binyamin Krauss of the SAR Academy in Riverdale.

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (center) is flanked by Teach NYS advocates who came to Albany to discuss increased funding for nonpublic schools.

Parents, educators and community leaders from across New York returned from the annual Teach NYS Albany mission to significant developments: the state Senate and Assembly released budget proposals that include nearly $500 million in combined programs supporting nonpublic schools statewide. If enacted, the funding would provide significant support for Jewish day schools and yeshivas across New York.

The developments follow years of sustained advocacy and a week of direct meetings in Albany, where participants met with Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers to push for increased support for both classroom needs and school security.

Among the key components of the proposals are $90 million for the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment program, $100 million for STEM instruction, and $6 million for arts and music education.

For most families, safety remains the most immediate concern and security was a central focus throughout the mission. As antisemitic incidents continue to rise nationwide, Jewish day schools are facing growing pressure to maintain strong security measures, often at a significant cost.

A new report from Teach Coalition found that the average Jewish day school now spends more than $400,000 annually on security, more than double what schools spent before October 7, 2023. These costs are rising far faster than other school expenses, and in many cases are being passed on to parents through dedicated fees or higher tuition.

“For too long, Jewish families have been forced to pay an antisemitism tax, spending over $1,000 per child each year just to keep their kids safe,” said Sydney Altfield, CEO of Teach Coalition.

For school leaders, these pressures are felt every day in conversations with parents.

“We’ve had countless conversations with parents who want to make sure their children are safe,” said Rabbi Binyamin Krauss, principal of SAR Academy in Riverdale. “The challenge is that nonpublic schools already have high costs, and many families struggle to continue paying tuition, which is rising in part because of the growing security situation.”

Both the Senate and Assembly proposals include $90 million for the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment program, maintaining Governor Hochul’s historic investment. These funds help schools cover the cost of security personnel, surveillance systems, and other measures that have become essential in today’s environment.

At the same time, the proposed $100 million for STEM instruction reflects the continued growth of a program that began in 2017 with just $5 million and has expanded significantly through ongoing advocacy. The proposals also include $6 million for arts and music education.

For Teach Coalition, which has advocated on behalf of Jewish day schools and yeshivas for more than a decade, this year’s proposals reflect both real progress and the continued importance of showing up and making the case in Albany.

“When parents, students, and community leaders come to Albany and share their experiences, lawmakers listen,” said Altfield. “These investments are the result of years of persistent advocacy, and we will continue working to ensure that every student has access to a strong education in a safe environment.”

As budget negotiations continue, advocates say the proposed funding represents significant progress, as the community cannot be expected to shoulder the burden of security costs alone.

Reported and photos by Teach NYS