Res. No. 1263
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to amend the State Education Law, in relation to mayoral control of the New York City public school system, by requiring that the respective Community Education Council approve a co-location or school closure/phase-out proposal before it may be presented for a vote by the Panel for Educational Policy.
By Council Members Vann, Jackson, Arroyo, Brewer, Cabrera, Chin, Dickens, Dromm, Fidler, Gentile, James, Lander, Levin, Palma, Reyna, Rose, Williams, Rodriguez and Koppell
Whereas, Although the New York City public schools are currently under mayoral control, City schools are still governed by New York State Education Law; and
Whereas, According to Section 2590-c of the State Education Law, each Community District in New York City shall be governed by a Community District Education Council consisting of eleven voting members and one non-voting member; and
Whereas, Community District Education Councils, referred to as Community Education Councils or CECs by the New York City Department of Education (DOE), are composed of nine parents whose children are currently attending, or attended within the preceding two years, a school under the jurisdiction of the Community District, as well as two borough president appointees who are residents of or business operators in the district and a non-voting student member who is a high school senior residing in the district; and
Whereas, Such composition allows Community Education Councils to effectively represent the views of parents, students and other residents and/or business people in the community; and
Whereas, The Community Education Councils also have certain powers and duties delineated in Section 2590-e of the State Education Law; and
Whereas, Among these is the power and duty to provide input to the Chancellor and the City Board on matters of concern to the district; and
Whereas, There are few issues of greater concern in Community School Districts throughout New York City at present than the proposed closure, phase-out or co-location of schools; and
Whereas, Currently, Section 2590-e(21) of State Education Law requires Community Education Councils to hold a joint public hearing with the Chancellor or designee and the impacted school based management team regarding any proposed significant change in school utilization including, but not limited to, any proposed school closing, phase-out or co-location of schools; and
Whereas, While these joint hearings provide an opportunity for local communities to voice their concerns, their views are largely ignored when decisions on these matters are made by the DOE and voted on by the Panel for Educational Policy; and
Whereas, Community Education Councils currently have the power to approve school zoning lines, but not significant changes in school utilization, such as closing, phase-out or co-location of schools; and
Whereas, Since school closings, phase-outs or co-locations can significantly impact enrollment, it is logical that Community Education Councils should have the authority to approve closings, phase-outs or co-locations; and
Whereas, Requiring that the appropriate Community Education Council approve any proposed school co-location or closure/phase-out before it can be voted on by the Panel for Educational Policy would ensure that local community concerns are reflected in the decision-making process; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to amend the State Education Law, in relation to mayoral control of the New York City public school system, by requiring that the respective Community Education Council approve a co-location or school closure/phase-out proposal before it may be presented for a vote by the Panel for Educational Policy.
LS# 3381, 3415
JA
3/16/12