School Leadership Team

School Leadership Teams (SLTs) are school-based organizations composed of an equal number of parents and staff. They meet at least once a month, and determine the structure for school-based planning and shared decision-making.

SLT members: SLTs must include as mandatory members: the school principal, the PA/PTA president (or designated co-president), the UFT chapter leader, and an equal number of parents and staff. High school teams must also include at least two students. SLTs may elect to include representatives from community-based organizations.

SLTs’ roles in schools: The core responsibility of each SLT is to develop the school’s Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP) that is aligned with the school-based budget. SLTs are strongly encouraged to solicit input from various school community constituencies in order to ensure that all voices are heard regarding the needs of students. Functioning in a collaborative manner, SLTs also help to evaluate the effectiveness of the school’s educational programs and their impact on student achievement. SLTs receive support and guidance as needed from their District Leadership Teams.

 How do I join my school’s SLT? Parent members of an SLT are nominated and elected by the school’s parents.

Parents and staff must be elected by their own constituent groups in a fair and unbiased manner determined by each constituent group, and all elections must be advertised widely, with reasonable advance notice given. Elections must be open to all members of the constituent group (e.g., PA/PTA, CSA, UFT, DC 37) and must be held in accordance with the term limits as set forth in the team’s bylaws.

As a result of the Appellate Division’s decision, SLT meetings must be open to the general public and comply with the requirements of the Open Meetings Law, including public notice of the meetings.  SLTs must allow members of the general public and the press to be admitted to their meetings, in addition to members of the school community. If certain confidential topics are discussed, the SLT should go into “executive session,” meaning that the SLT should move to a private room without public and press. For more detailed information contact your child’s school.  

Under State Education Law, Section 2590, all New York City public schools are required to establish School Leadership Teams. SLTs must comply with the current Chancellor’s Regulation A–655 and NYS Open Meetings Law.

To hold hybrid meetings, streaming to observers in the public, SLT members must be physically present at the meeting unless unable due to open meetings law definition of “extraordinary circumstances.” These include disability, illness, caregiving responsibilities, “or any other significant or unexpected factor or event which precludes the member’s physical attendance at such meeting.” The expectation is that SLT members will meet in person; a member's remote participation is allowed only under certain circumstances and only if quorum is met in-person.

If SLT team agrees to hold hybrid meetings, Bylaws MUST be amended. View information here regarding  Bylaws Template and Hybrid Meetings Amendment