Special Commissions

Commission Overview

The safe transportation of students to and from school on a daily basis remains a top priority. In order to learn more from the community and collaboratively brainstorm, develop, and provide concrete policy recommendations that could improve school bus service in New York City, the Pupil Transportation Advisory Commission (PTAC) was created. This independent commission aims to address two key issues before developing a list of recommendations for presentation and submission to the New York City Panel for Educational Policy. The PTAC Policy Report (2025) will be submitted to the Panel prior to the meeting on Wednesday, November 19th at the Prospect Heights Campus (883 Classon Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11225) with livestream available at https://learndoe.org/pep/nov19.

Public Hearing

The Commission wants to hear from you! Public feedback for recommendations and next steps plays an important role in the development of the PTAC Policy Report (2025). To maximize input and collaboration you can submit comments directly to the Commission in writing or join the Commission for a virtual Public Hearing on Tuesday, October 28th at 6:00pm (EST). Register for the Public Hearing using the link here.

To submit comments in writing, please go through the link here: PTAC Written Public Comment. This link will be closed at 7:30pm (EST) on October 28th following the virtual Public Hearing. Information for accessing the virtual Public Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, October 28th at 6:00pm (EST) is forthcoming. 

Written Public Comment              Public Hearing Registration

Commission Members

Commission members represent the diversity of voice and advocacy for improving student transportation in New York City. From parent and community leaders to strong union allies and powerful advocacy organizations this Commission is moving the needle forward to improve New York City Public Schools (NYCPS).

• Leurys Acosta, Community Leader
• Nyah Berg, Executive Director, New York Appleseed
• Sara Catalinotto, Parents to Improve School Transportation (PIST)
• Christina Collins, Director of Education Policy, United Federation of Teachers (UFT)
• Tamara Farrell, Community & Parent Leader
• Leon Gidron, Community & Parent Leader
• Shamsul Haque, Commission Chairperson
• Lupe Hernandez, Community Organizer Education & Opportunity, Office of Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams
• Randi Levine, Policy Director, Advocates for Children of New York (AFC)
• Carolyn Rinaldi, Vice President, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 1181
• Glenn Risbrook, Senior Executive Director of Student Transportation, New York City Public Schools (NYCPS)
• Chad Royer, Community & Parent Leader
• Ephraim Zakry, Community & Parent Leader
• Kat Zapata, Director of Education & Youth Services, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.

Update (May 28, 2025): Revisions to Chancellor's Regulation A-820 were proposed and unanimously approved by the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) during May's monthly meeting (see here). 

In an ever-increasing digital age, the protection of student data and personally identifiable information (PII) remains paramount for all students and a cornerstone of healthy digital practices. Therefore, in a consolidated to effort, New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) and the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) have partnered in the development of modifications to Chancellor's Regulation A-820. The recommendations from the Data Privacy Working Group will be woven into the final draft of the Regulation, which will be presented for PEP consideration. 

The Data Privacy Working Group is comprised of leaders throughout the community who can tether together the policy and practice of protecting student information. Members of this Working Group represent an array of technology experts, policy makers, and local leaders who offer invaluable insight into the ongoing modifications to Chancellor's Regulation A-820. Members of the Working Group include:

• Christina Collins, Director of Education Policy, United Federation of Teachers (UFT)
• Louise DeCandia, Chief Privacy Officer, New York State Education Department (NYSED)
• Rosa G. Diaz, President, Manhattan High Schools Presidents Council; Chairperson, Chancellor's Parent Advisory Council; District 4 Representative, Citywide Wellness Advisory Council; Special Education Representative, Class Size Working Group; NYCPS Reads Ambassador 2024; CCEC Elections Working Group 2025
• Shannon Edwards, Digitial Marketing and Responsible AI Consultant; Founder, AI for Families; Member, NYSED Data Privacy Advisory Committee
• Gregory W. Faulkner, Chairperson, Panel for Educational Policy (PEP)
• Aide Flores, President, Community Education Council (CEC) District 9
• Ayanna Greenidge-Hall, Principal, PS/IS 266
• Leonie Haimson, Co-Chairperson, Parent Coalition for Student Privacy
• Beth Haroules, New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU)
• Naveed Hasan, Member & Chairperson of the Legislative Affairs Committee, Panel for Educational Policy (PEP)
• Robert Jackson, New York State Senator
• Rita Joseph, Chairperson, New York City Council Committee on Education
• NeQuan McLean, President, Community Education Council (CEC) District 16
• Erika Palmer, Supervising Attorney, Advocates for Children of New York
• Linda Quarles, First Vice President, Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS)
• Tom Sheppard, Member, Panel for Educational Policy (PEP)
• Jim Siegl, Senior Technologist for Youth and Education, Future of Privacy Forum