NYC mayor election 2025: How Mamdani vs. Cuomo’s plans for charter schools and Foundation Aid could shape NYC classrooms

The 2025 NYC mayoral race pits Zohran Mamdani against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, highlighting stark differences in education policy. Key issues include charter schools, Foundation Aid, and mayoral control over K-12 education. Mamdani proposes reassessing funding priorities and reviewing governance, while Cuomo supports school choice expansion and partial Foundation Aid increases. With nearly 900,000 students and a $41 billion budget, voters face a critical choice that will shape graduation rates, college readiness, and student outcomes in the city’s public schools.