State Education Department officials will meet with New York City leaders next week to review which school districts are best equipped to enroll migrant students seeking asylum in the state.

Gov. Kathy Hochul this week said more than 100,000 people have arrived in New York City from the southern border since last spring. The governor spoke with state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa on Thursday before an event detailing grants for school districts to combat the learning gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health crises among New York students.

Rosa and SED educators are scheduled to meet with New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his staff Monday to discuss the criteria to determine districts with the most appropriate resources to educate migrants, including English as a Second Language teachers and programs.

"There are some school districts that have capacity more than others," Hochul said. "You need specialized teachers, so not every school lends itself to being the best place for students."

Much of the $1 billion included in the state budget to help the city house migrants is spoken for, Hochul said Thursday, to pay for the nearly 2,000 members of the National Guard and prepare other housing sites and humanitarian centers in the five boroughs.

The governor has started conversations with legislative leaders about including additional funding to help address the migrant crisis in next year's budget.

"We've been spending a lot of resources, but I absolutely know we'll need more," Hochul said. "...It's untenable. It's at a breaking point and I'm working hard with them to find other places, including conversations with the White House on what federal Department of Defense and [U.S. General Services Administration] properties might be availalbe."

But local school districts in communities across upstate New York that have received buses of migrants from the city — with most sent by surprise — may be less prepared to provide young asylum seekers the educational services they need.

Lawmakers have started to voice concerns about local districts needing additional funding and resources to accommodate young migrants.

Sen. Jim Tedisco, a Republican from Glenville, sent Hochul a letter this week requesting she devise a plan to reimburse schools for unforeseen expenses associated with enrolling students of families seeking asylum. His request comes weeks after hundreds of migrants were unexpectedly sent to a hotel in Rotterdam, Schenectady County, leading to the displacement of other vulnerable New Yorkers.

"Many of these children will need English as a Second Language teachers and may require other special education services to help them learn," Tedisco wrote. "...While schools are happy to welcome these students, there is concern about the unplanned long-term costs associated with educating them."

The senator added he supports immigration and a path to citizenship, but said more funding is needed after lacking federal response and leadership from New York City.

Hochul pointed to a historic $34.5 billion in direct school aid included in the state budget.

"[It's] a dramatic increase," she said. "School districts do have the resources I hope they'll use for mental health services, but also those that have migrant students sent to them will be able to handle that as well."

Hochul spoke with White House officials Thursday about expediting workforce authorization for asylum seekers. She said several times this week she speaks daily with federal leaders about the issue. They remain largely silent on related funding, housing or a plan to expedite working permits.