What is the CEC?

What is a Community Education Council?

New York City’s Community and Citywide Education Councils are charged with promoting student achievement, advising and commenting on educational policies, and providing input to the Chancellor and the Panel for Educational Policy on matters of concern to the district. The powers and duties of CECs are spelled out in NYS Education Law §2590-e; those of Citywide Councils can be found in §2590-b.

The Community Education Council (CEC) is made up of nine (9) volunteer parents from District 7, who are elected for two-year terms by the parents of children in District 7 schools and two (2) volunteer members who are appointed by the Borough President. One additional member is a non-voting High School senior. Elected parents must have a child in a district school grades PreK – 8. Certain community members, including charter school parents may apply for an appointment by the Borough President.

The responsibilities of CEC members include:

• Approving zoning lines, as submitted by the superintendent; Reviewing the district’s educational programs and assessing their effect on student achievement;
• Submitting an annual evaluation of the superintendent to the Chancellor, and consulting on the selection of the community superintendent;
• Serving as liaisons to School Leadership Teams and providing assistance;
• Holding public hearings on the district’s annual capacity plans and submitting to the chancellor a CEC-approved plan based on enrollment/utilization data for each school in the district;
• Holding joint public hearings with the chancellor (or designee) for any proposed school closing or significant change in school utilization; and
• Preparing a district report card and ensuring its public distribution.

The responsibilities of Citywide Council members include:

• Issuing an annual report on how effectively the populations they represent are served, and
• Making recommendations for improvements.

CEC members are required to attend a minimum of two trainings during their term of office and to submit a monthly performance report that includes meeting attendance records, school visits and committee activities.

All Education Council members are required to attend each meeting of their council. Three or more unexcused absences (as defined in CR D-140) are grounds for dismissal.