At‑large Board of Regents interviews spotlight school funding, mental health and cell‑phone policies

Applicants for two at‑large seats on the New York State Board of Regents appeared before the Legislature’s joint education committees in Albany, where lawmakers and candidates emphasized three recurring priorities: school funding and the Foundation Aid formula, expansion of school‑based mental‑health services, and policies on student cell‑phone use.

The interviews, conducted by Assemblyman Mike Benedetto, chair of the Assembly Education Committee, and members of the Senate education panel, brought more than a dozen applicants, each given a brief opening statement followed by questions. The proceedings also surfaced candidate views on STEM teacher recruitment, dual‑enrollment and early college options, enforcement of “substantial equivalency” in nonpublic schools, school safety and culturally responsive curriculum amid recent federal policy changes.

Why it matters: The Board of Regents sets statewide education policy and oversees the State Education Department; the two at‑large seats up for appointment shape decisions that affect curriculum, testing and funding rules for K‑12 and higher education across New York. Legislators told candidates they expect appointees to…