Chancellor Banks Kicks Off 2023 Community and Citywide Education Council Elections
For the first time families who have a child in a district 75 school or program can vote for a representative to sit on each local community education council.
NEW YORK – Schools Chancellor David C. Banks today announced the start of the biennial Community and Citywide Education Council election season, with changes to create more inclusive parent governance bodies. Beginning today, parents can apply to run for a Council, and for the first time ever, families with a child in a District 75 school or program can vote for a District 75 representative to sit on each local Community Education Council. Parents can find more information about Community Education Council elections at schools.nyc.gov/elections2023.
“Parent leadership of our public schools is an essential part of them being truly reflective of the hopes and needs of our communities and becoming a parent leader on a Community or Citywide Education Council is a powerful way to represent your community in our public schools,” said Chancellor David C. Banks. “One of the core pillars of this administration is engaging families to be our true partners. They are the experts on their children, and we need their voices to be reflected in how we develop the whole child in and out of school.”
The New York City Public Schools’ Family and Community Engagement team is providing resources to inform families about election protocol. Opportunities for information include daily information sessions offered in different languages during the application and voting periods, alongside presentations at events in collaboration with borough presidents’ offices and additional parent governance groups. Families can access information on the structure and roles of the Education Councils as well as eligibility guidelines, key dates, and Frequently Asked Questions. Applications can be submitted online at schools.nyc.gov/elections2023 from now through February 13.
Candidate forums will begin on February 27 through April 20, and voting will take place between April 21 and May 9. Results will be announced in June, and members will take their seats on July 1, 2023.
“The 2023 Community and Citywide election promises to bring more diversity and experiences to our Education Councils,” said Deputy Chancellor for Family and Community Engagement Kenita Lloyd. “Education councils give families the opportunity to directly impact public education in New York City, and for the first time, there will be D75 representation across all district Community Education Councils. We encourage all families to learn more and run for a seat for a chance to partner with us in such important work.”
Following legislation passed in 2022 by the New York State legislature, New York City Public Schools is implementing measures to help facilitate more inclusive Education Councils. Previously, District 75 parents only qualified for seats on the Citywide Council for District 75 and the Citywide Council on Special Education. Now, parents and guardians of District 75 students can run for a designated District 75 seat in each district and vote for a District 75 representative in each district.
For more information, parents can go to schools.nyc.gov/elections2023
The Councils
Community Education Councils (CEC)
Each CEC has 10 elected members who are, or were at the time of election, parents of students in grades Pre-K-8 in district schools, and two Borough President appointees. The CECs work closely with the district superintendents, approve school zoning lines, hold hearings on the capital plan, and provide input on instructional and policy issues.
Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS)
The CCHS has 10 elected members, two from each borough, who must be the parents of students currently attending a public high school. Three members are appointed. One by the New York City Public Advocate, one by the Citywide Council for Special Education, and one by the Citywide Council for English Language Learners. The CCHS advises on education policy and issues involving high school students
Citywide Council on English Language Learners (CCELL)
The CCELL has nine elected members, who must be parents of students currently or recently classified by the DOE as English Language Learners. Two members are appointed by the New York City Public Advocate. The CCELL advises on education policy and issues involving students in dual language or English as a New Language (ENL) programs
Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE)
The CCSE has nine elected members, who must be parents of students receiving special education services paid for by the DOE. Two members are appointed by the New York City Public Advocate. The CCSE advises on education policy and services for students with disabilities.
Citywide Council for District 75 (CCD75)
The CCD75 has nine elected members, who must be parents of students in a D75 program. Two members are appointed by the New York City Public Advocate. The CCD75 advises on education policy and services for students with disabilities who attend a D75 program.
Selection Process Schedule 2023
January 9 – February 13
Candidate application period
February 27 – April 20
Candidate Forums
April 21 – May 9
Parents vote online
May 10 – June 16
Run-off elections, if necessary.
June
Election results announced
July 1
Members-elect take office
“Parent leadership of our public schools is an essential part of them being truly reflective of the hopes and needs of our communities and becoming a parent leader on a Community or Citywide Education Council is a powerful way to represent your community in our public schools,” said Chancellor David C. Banks. “One of the core pillars of this administration is engaging families to be our true partners. They are the experts on their children, and we need their voices to be reflected in how we develop the whole child in and out of school.”
The New York City Public Schools’ Family and Community Engagement team is providing resources to inform families about election protocol. Opportunities for information include daily information sessions offered in different languages during the application and voting periods, alongside presentations at events in collaboration with borough presidents’ offices and additional parent governance groups. Families can access information on the structure and roles of the Education Councils as well as eligibility guidelines, key dates, and Frequently Asked Questions. Applications can be submitted online at schools.nyc.gov/elections2023 from now through February 13.
Candidate forums will begin on February 27 through April 20, and voting will take place between April 21 and May 9. Results will be announced in June, and members will take their seats on July 1, 2023.
“The 2023 Community and Citywide election promises to bring more diversity and experiences to our Education Councils,” said Deputy Chancellor for Family and Community Engagement Kenita Lloyd. “Education councils give families the opportunity to directly impact public education in New York City, and for the first time, there will be D75 representation across all district Community Education Councils. We encourage all families to learn more and run for a seat for a chance to partner with us in such important work.”
Following legislation passed in 2022 by the New York State legislature, New York City Public Schools is implementing measures to help facilitate more inclusive Education Councils. Previously, District 75 parents only qualified for seats on the Citywide Council for District 75 and the Citywide Council on Special Education. Now, parents and guardians of District 75 students can run for a designated District 75 seat in each district and vote for a District 75 representative in each district.
For more information, parents can go to schools.nyc.gov/elections2023
The Councils
Community Education Councils (CEC)
Each CEC has 10 elected members who are, or were at the time of election, parents of students in grades Pre-K-8 in district schools, and two Borough President appointees. The CECs work closely with the district superintendents, approve school zoning lines, hold hearings on the capital plan, and provide input on instructional and policy issues.
Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS)
The CCHS has 10 elected members, two from each borough, who must be the parents of students currently attending a public high school. Three members are appointed. One by the New York City Public Advocate, one by the Citywide Council for Special Education, and one by the Citywide Council for English Language Learners. The CCHS advises on education policy and issues involving high school students
Citywide Council on English Language Learners (CCELL)
The CCELL has nine elected members, who must be parents of students currently or recently classified by the DOE as English Language Learners. Two members are appointed by the New York City Public Advocate. The CCELL advises on education policy and issues involving students in dual language or English as a New Language (ENL) programs
Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE)
The CCSE has nine elected members, who must be parents of students receiving special education services paid for by the DOE. Two members are appointed by the New York City Public Advocate. The CCSE advises on education policy and services for students with disabilities.
Citywide Council for District 75 (CCD75)
The CCD75 has nine elected members, who must be parents of students in a D75 program. Two members are appointed by the New York City Public Advocate. The CCD75 advises on education policy and services for students with disabilities who attend a D75 program.
Selection Process Schedule 2023
January 9 – February 13
Candidate application period
February 27 – April 20
Candidate Forums
April 21 – May 9
Parents vote online
May 10 – June 16
Run-off elections, if necessary.
June
Election results announced
July 1
Members-elect take office