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Community Education Councils (CECs) are education policy advisory bodies responsible for, among other things, reviewing and evaluating their district’s educational programs, approving zoning lines, and holding public hearings on certain matters. 

Each Community Education Council (CEC) consists of 12 voting members who provide hands-on leadership and support for their district's public schools:

• 10 are parents of children in pre-K through 8th grade, attending a district school or a pre-K program offered by a district school; these members are elected by parents of children attending these schools and programs.

• 2 are residents and/or local business leaders appointed by the Borough President; and

• In addition, each CEC includes a non-voting high school senior who lives in the district and is appointed by the Community Superintendent.

• CECs must hold at least one public meeting per month, with the Community Superintendent, where the parents and the community may air their concerns.

CECs are established under, and their powers and duties are defined by, New York State Education Law. Their members are public officials who serve their communities as unpaid volunteers.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EDUCATION COUNCILS 

All education council members must participate in at least two DOE-sponsored training sessions per term to familiarize themselves with their roles and responsibilities. To support council members in fulfilling their role, Education Councils have a paid administrative assistant who handles day-to-day administration. Councils also receive technical support from the Division of Family and Community Engagement. Although this is an unpaid volunteer position, members can receive limited reimbursement for expenses. 

The powers and duties of Community Education Councils are specified in NY State Education Law §2590-e:

• Review the district’s educational programs and assess their effect on student achievement.

• Hold at least one meeting per month with the superintendent (72-hour notice required), open to the public, where the public may discuss the current state of the schools in the district.

• Submit an annual evaluation of the superintendent to the Chancellor.

• Provide input to the Chancellor and the Panel for Educational Policy on district concerns.

• Serve as liaisons to School Leadership Teams

• Approve zoning lines as submitted by the superintendent.

• Hold public hearings on the district’s capital needs and submit a plan to the Chancellor.

• Hold a Town Hall with the Chancellor.

Education Council members must also fill out monthly Individual Performance Reports and file yearly financial disclosures.

You can find more information on Community Education Council (CECs), Citywide Councils (CCHS) (CCSE) (CCELL) (CCD75) and Citywide Leadership here CECs and  Citywide Education Councils.

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