City Council leaders are demanding higher pre-K wages — and it could lead to a budget showdown
New York City Council leaders say they will refuse to approve a city budget this month unless it raises salaries for community-based pre-K providers to match those of teachers at public schools.
It’s a shot in the arm for pay parity among the organizations who provide early childhood education to 60% of pre-schoolers in the program, compared to teachers at public schools. Providers advocating for change often point to starting salaries: new teachers in community organizations make about $42,000, compared with $59,000 in public schools.