Hochul hints that deal on NYC school class size limits may be near

Gov. Kathy Hochul hinted Thursday that a compromise may be near on controversial legislation that would impose strict class size limits on New York City public schools.

The governor expressed lukewarm support for the bill, which was passed by lawmakers in Albany earlier this year but which she has yet to sign.

“I’m inclined to be supportive, I just have to work out a few more details with the mayor, I spoke with him about it yesterday,” Hochul said on WNYC’s “Brian Lehrer Show.”

Mayor Eric Adams and his administration fiercely opposed the measure when it was being considered by lawmakers in the spring, arguing it would cost the city $500 million annually just to meet the requirements for elementary schools.

Hizzoner said in July that City Hall was discussing changes to the legislation with the governor, who has held off on signing it into law amid the negotiations.

“The governor should sign the bill now so the school year can begin with clarity, and sign the bill as is since it was passed nearly unanimously by both chambers of the legislature,” state Senate New York City Education Committee Chair John Liu (D-Queens), a leading proponent of the bill, told The Post Thursday. 

Hochul briefly alluded to the funding fight in her remarks Thursday, but declined to offer any additional details over what the agreement might look like, except to say that it was “something I’m very interested in and just working out some very final details in the next couple of days.”

The bill, as currently written, would force the Department of Education to cap class sizes for kindergarten through 3rd grade at 20 students; 4th through 8th grades at 23 students and limit high school classes to 25 students.

In response, City Hall reiterated its charge on Thursday that the mandate would require cuts to school programs and services unless state lawmakers cough up more money.

“While this administration strongly supports lower class sizes, unless there is guaranteed funding attached to those mandates, we will see cuts elsewhere in the system that would harm our most vulnerable students in our highest need communities,” said City Hall spokeswoman Amaris Cockfield.