NEW YORK - Today, Schools Chancellor David C. Banks announced that hundreds of parents were elected to serve on the 36 Citywide and Community Education Councils, where 357 seats were up for election. This year’s election allowed, for the first time, parents to vote for a D75 representative on each Community Council. This year 1,099 parents submitted applications to run for a seat on the Councils.  Moreover, 19,130 parents voted across the city with districts 6, 12, 13, 16, 19 and 75 seeing exponential growth in voter turnout. The results can be viewed online here.

“Parent leadership in our public education system is an essential tool in making our schools responsive to the needs of our communities,” said Chancellor David C. Banks. “Congratulations to the parents who have been elected to serve in these ever-important roles, and I look forward to working closely with them in the years ahead.

“We are energized by our parents’ continued dedication to partnering with us in this vital and rewarding work,” said Deputy Chancellor for Family and Community Engagement Kenita Lloyd. “We truly appreciate our parents who have taken part in this process from start to finish. From running for a seat, to voting in your local district, and encouraging others to vote, we thank you for everything you do to support our public schools.”

The CCEC Elections are the largest parent empowerment initiative in the country’s largest school district. Parents serve two-year terms on 36 councils throughout New York City, including 32 Community Councils representing each community school district, and four Citywide Councils representing high schools, English language learners, special education, and D75.  The 32 Community Education Councils are responsible for approving school zoning lines, holding hearings on the capital plan, and providing additional input on important policy issues. Citywide Councils evaluate and advise on policy concerning their areas of focus and on services provided by the DOE to the populations they represent.

“After 12 years serving on a Community Education Council District 5 I proudly worked with other parent leaders on the elections committee to make recommendations on policies, outreach and support for this election cycle,” said Ayishah Irvin of CEC5.  “I am also excited about the potential to serve my district in partnership with Superintendent Davenport to support our Harlem families. I want to thank FACE for their efforts to increase participation in this election cycle in order to empower parent leaders in advocating for what our children need.” 

Over the spring, more than 200 information sessions and 65 candidate forums were conducted across the city to provide school communities with the opportunity to learn more about the parents running for election. In addition, the DOE launched a multilingual ad campaign in ten languages across the five boroughs to increase family and community engagement, including a robust out-of-home campaign, advertisements in community and ethnic media, and digital marketing.

Following the new legislation passed in 2022 by the New York State legislature, New York City Public Schools announced earlier this year a more inclusive education council. Previously, D75 parents only qualified for seats on the Citywide Council for D75 and the Citywide Council on Special Education. Now, parents and guardians of D75 students can sit in a designated D75 seat in each district and vote for a D75 representative in each community school district. 

A small number of runoff elections are required for seats on Councils with tied vote counts. New York City Public Schools will inform voters of the affected Councils directly and provide details on how to vote online. 

Throughout the Summer, the incoming cohort of elected CEC members will participate in a three-part orientation focused on team building and leadership building in addition to honing a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

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