State senators brief New Rochelle on 2025–26 budget, promise $1M in school aid and EMS planning

New Rochelle — New York State senators Shelley Mayer and Natalia Fernandez on July 15 outlined parts of the 2025–26 state budget they said will affect New Rochelle, including $1,000,000 in senate-allocated funds for the New Rochelle City School District and new statewide planning requirements for emergency medical services.

Mayer told the City Council she and colleagues added an “additional $1,000,000 of senate money to the New Rochelle City School District,” and described other budget actions intended to help students and families, including a statewide “bell to bell” school cell‑phone ban and universal school meals. “We tried to divide it and also not to talk for too long,” Senator Natalia Fernandez said at the start of the presentation.

The senators said the budget includes a new regional cost index for Westchester that will benefit many districts but does not, by itself, trigger additional foundation aid for New Rochelle. Mayer said the senate funds were added after discussions with the local superintendent and school leadership.

Why it matters: The measures singled out by the senators affect basic services and recurring costs for residents and municipal partners. The school money and changes to EMS funding and planning could change how local government and providers deliver and pay for emergency medical services, meals and student supports.

Key budget provisions described

- School funding: Mayer said the Senate added $1,000,000 to the…