Don’t sit out a defining event for NYC education

Brooklyn: The most important political race in NYC is the 2023 Citywide and Community Education Council (CCEC) Election. Some key policy gains in public education have been introduced by CCEC members. From “mayoral control” of schools to charter school expansion, CCECs have been at the table or behind the scenes, moving policy. And while we may not agree on every issue, we work alongside one another to improve our schools.

Local school governance is under siege. The current CCEC elections have not received the same attention as prior cycles. Over the last year, education officials have abandoned “parent empowerment,” and cronyism has eroded the goodwill between DOE and parents. Layered beneath this is the great exodus of Black families, canaries in the coal mine for the health of NYC schools.

Collective parent advocacy can significantly change the school system. New York City’s “mayoral control” legislation will sunset during the upcoming CCEC terms — strong parent voices will be important in determining how education policy is made and who governs our schools. The governor recently proposed lifting the charter school cap, re-energizing the political game of monopoly that re-allocates public school real estate and funding to the private sector. Special interests will weigh in on upcoming policy debates — unions, political parties, private donors and more. What’s important is that our children’s interests remain at the center of the decision-making, and that is the mission of our CCECs.

Time is running short to run for a CCEC seat — the deadline is Thursday, Feb. 23. The future of NYC schools will be defined by those that join the conversation. NeQuan C. McLean

president, Community Education Council 16