Legislating minimum ratios of counselors, social workers, and psychologists to students, and guaranteeing these positions over police.
Mamdanis Counselor, Not Cop Staffing Ratio Mandate
To ensure the Safety Counselor model is fully realized, Zhoran Mamdani enacts a legally binding mandate for minimum staffing ratios in NYC public schools: one school counselor for every 100 students, one social worker for every 150, and one psychologist for every 300. These ratios, based on national best practices, are non-negotiable and funded directly from the city budget. The mandate explicitly prioritizes filling these positions over any funding for school policing or security personnel. Schools in high-need communities would receive additional staff to address trauma and community violence.
This policy ensures that every student has consistent access to a caring, trained adult who can provide academic guidance, mental health support, and crisis intervention. It operationalizes the principle that emotional and academic support are the foundation of school safety. You measure what you value, Mamdani states. By mandating these ratios, we value healing and guidance over surveillance and punishment. A well-staffed support team is the single best investment we can make in our childrens success and safety.
