Education Councils
Roles And Responsibilities
1
Session Agenda
What is a Council?
History of the Councils
The Council’s Role
Overview of Council Organization
Council Member Quick Facts
Power and Duties of Education Councils
 Quorum
 Public Officers
 Vacancies
 Reporting Requirements
 Bylaws
 Communication
 Questions for Reflection
2
What is a Council?
 Community Education Councils (CECs)
 District level advocacy and representation
(Kindergarten- 8th grade)
 Citywide Councils
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Special Education (CCSE)
English Language Learners (CCELL)
High Schools (CCHS)
District 75
3
Session Agenda
What is a Council?
History of the Councils
The Council’s Role
Overview of Council Organization
Council Member Quick Facts
Power and Duties of Education Councils
 Quorum
 Public Officers
 Vacancies
 Reporting Requirements
 Bylaws
 Communication
 Questions for Reflection
4
History of the Councils
 The Councils were created to replace the former
Community Schools Boards.
 CECs, CCSE, CCELL, and CCHS are authorized by New York
State Education Law, Article 52, Section 2590.
 How do they fit into the New York City Public School
System?
 State Laws authorize and define
 Chancellor’s Regulations implement
 Bylaws describe the council management process and actions
to be taken by members
 Parliamentary Procedures provide guidelines for operations
not included in the bylaws
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Session Agenda
What is a Council?
History of the Councils
The Council’s Role
Overview of Council Organization
Council Member Quick Facts
Power and Duties of Education Councils
 Quorum
 Public Officers
 Vacancies
 Reporting Requirements
 Bylaws
 Communication
 Questions for Reflection
6
The Council’s Role
 Councils have an obligation to:
 Consult and communicate with parents.

In addition to monthly public meetings, CECs must also consult with
the officers of their constituent PAs on at least a quarterly basis.

CCELL, CCSE, D 75 and CCHS should determine their preferred
vehicle for consultation with their constituents and include the
appropriate language in their bylaws.
 Advocate on behalf of district schools regarding educational issues
that impact the district.
 Maximize local opportunities for parental involvement in public
discussions about education by widely advertising monthly
meeting agendas, hosting public hearings, liaising with school
leadership teams, etc.
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Session Agenda
What is a Council?
History of the Councils
The Council’s Role
Overview of Council Organization
Council Member Quick Facts
Power and Duties of Education Councils
 Quorum
 Public Officers
 Vacancies
 Reporting Requirements
 Bylaws
 Communication
 Questions for Reflection
8
Overview of Council Organization
Applicable Laws,
Regulations, and
Bylaws
Community District Education
Councils
Citywide Council on Special
Education
Citywide Council on English
Language Learners
 2590-c, FOIL, Open Meetings Law,
General Construction Law Sec 41,
New York City Conflicts of Interest
Law and C-110
 2590-b, FOIL, Open Meetings
Law, General Construction Law
Sec 41,
 2590-b, FOIL, Open Meetings
Law, General Construction Law
Sec 41
 Chancellor Regulation D-150
 Chancellor Regulation D-170
 Bylaws
 Bylaws
12 total
12 total
12 total
 9 selected parents (2 year terms)
 9 selected parents of children
with IEPs, (2 year terms)
 9 selected parents of children in a
bilingual or ESL program (2 year
terms)
 Chancellor Regulation D-140
 Bylaws
Members & Terms
 2 BP appointees (2 year terms)
 1 student (Student term is length of
senior year)
 2 Pub. Adv. Appointees (2 year
terms)
 1 student with an IEP (Student
term is length of senior year)
Selection &
Vacancies
 Vacancies are filled by the council
within 60 days after consultation
with the Presidents’ Council.
 If a vacancy results in the council not
having a parent of an ELL student or a
parent of a student with an IEP, the
council shall select a parent having
such qualifications to fill the vacancy.
 2 Pub. Adv. Appointees (2 year
terms)
 1 student who is or has been in a
bilingual or ESL program (Student
term is length of senior year)
 Vacancies filled by council
within 60 days after
consultation with parents of
children with IEPs.
 Vacancies are filled by the council
within 60 days after consultation
with parents of children in
bilingual or ESL programs.
 If a vacancy occurs in a Pub Adv.
appointed position, the Pub.
Adv. shall appoint a member to
serve the remainder of the term.
 If a vacancy occurs in a Pub Adv.
appointed position, the Pub. Adv.
shall appoint a member to serve
the remainder of the term.
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Overview of Council Organization
Applicable Laws,
Regulations, and Bylaws
Members & Terms
Citywide Council on High Schools
District 75 Council
• 2590-b, FOIL, Open Meetings Law, General
Construction Law Sec 41
 FOIL, Open Meetings Law, General Construction
Law Sec 41
• Chancellor Regulation D-160
 Chancellor Regulation D-150
• Bylaws
 Bylaws
14 total
12 total
 10 selected parents of high school students (2 from
each borough who serve 2 year terms)
 9 selected parents of children in a District 75
program (2 year terms)
 1 parent appointed by CCSE,
 2 Pub. Adv. Appointees (2 year terms)
 1 parent appointed by CCELL
 1 student who is in a District 75 program (Student
term is length of senior year)
 1 Pub Adv. Appointee
 1 student member (Student term is length of
senior year)
Selection & Vacancies
 Vacancies filled by council within 60 days after
consultation with parents of high school students.
 Vacancies filled by council within 60 days after
consultation with parents of high school students.
 If a vacancy occurs in a Pub. Adv. appointed
position, the Pub. Adv. shall appoint a member to
serve the remainder of the term.
 If a vacancy occurs in a Pub. Adv. appointed
position, the Pub. Adv. shall appoint a member to
serve the remainder of the term.
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Session Agenda
What is a Council?
History of the Councils
The Council’s Role
Overview of Council Organization
Council Member Quick Facts
Power and Duties of Education Councils
 Quorum
 Public Officers
 Vacancies
 Reporting Requirements
 Bylaws
 Communication
 Questions for Reflection
11
Council Member Quick Facts
 Members of CECs, CCSE, CCELL, and CCHS serve as volunteers. They are
not paid a salary, but receive limited reimbursement for expenses.
 The members of CCSE, CCELL and D75 are drawn from the entire city.
 CCHS must include two selected members from each borough. The
appointed members may come from any borough.
 CECs, CCSE, CCELL, D75 and CCHS are considered public bodies in New
York State and must take an oath of office prior to assuming their council
seat.
 All members are equal whether appointed or elected to serve.
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Session Agenda
What is a Council?
History of the Councils
The Council’s Role
Overview of Council Organization
Council Member Quick Facts
Power and Duties of Education Councils
 Quorum
 Public Officers
 Vacancies
 Reporting Requirements
 Bylaws
 Communication
 Questions for Reflection
13
Powers and Duties of CECs
(Education Law Section 2590-e)

Promote the achievement of educational standards and objectives relating
to the instruction of students

Review the district’s educational programs and assess their effect on
student achievement

Hold meetings at least every month with the superintendent 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 city board on district concerns

Serve as a liaison to School Leadership Teams
14
Powers and Duties of CECs
(Education Law Section 2590-e.)
 Approve zoning lines as submitted by the superintendent
 Participate in training and continuing education programs
 Hold public hearings on the district’s annual capacity plan and submit a plan to the
chancellor
 Prepare a district report card
 Annual Financial Disclosure Filing
 Retain counsel if the council or a member is a defendant or respondent
15
Powers and Duties of the Citywide Council on
English Language Learners
(Education Law Section 2590-b)
CCELL
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Issue an annual report on the effectiveness of the Department of
Education (“DOE”) in providing services to English Language Learners
(“ELL).
Comment on any educational policies involving bilingual and English as a
Second Language (“ESL”) programs.
Make recommendations on how to improve the efficiency and delivery of
services to English Language Learners.
Receive training opportunities.
Hold at least one meeting per month open to the public during which the
public may discuss issues facing English Language Learners.
16
Powers and Duties of the Citywide Council on
Special Education
(Education Law Section 2590-b)
CCSE
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Issue an annual report on the effectiveness of the DOE in providing
services to students with disabilities.
Comment on any educational policies involving the provision of
services for students with disabilities.
Advise and comment on the process of establishing Committees on
Special Education in community school districts.
Make recommendations on how to improve the efficiency and delivery
of such services.
Receive training opportunities.
Hold at least one meeting per month open to the public during which
the public may discuss issues facing students with disabilities.
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Powers and Duties of the Citywide Council on
High School
(Education Law Section 2590-b)
CCHS
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Advise and comment on any educational or instructional policy involving high
school.
Issue an annual report on the effectiveness of the city district in providing
services to high school students.
Making recommendations on how to improve the efficiency and delivery of
services for high school students.
Receive training opportunities.
Hold at least one meeting per month open to the public during which the
public may discuss issues facing high schools.
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Powers and Duties of the District 75
Citywide Council
District 75
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Advise and comment on educational and instructional policy involving
the provision of District 75 services
Make recommendation on how to improve the efficiency and delivery of
services received by students in District 75 programs.
Receive training opportunities.
Hold at least one meeting per month open to the public during which the
public may discuss the issues facing the district.
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Session Agenda
What is a Council?
History of the Councils
The Council’s Role
Overview of Council Organization
Council Member Quick Facts
Power and Duties of Education Councils
 Quorum
 Public Officers
 Vacancies
 Reporting Requirements
 Bylaws
 Communication
 Questions for Reflection
20
Quorum

New York State General Construction Law, Section 41 requires that a
public body have a quorum that is a majority of the whole number of the
body. The whole number is the number of positions the body would
have were there not vacancies.

The whole number of members on each CEC, CCSE and CCELL is 11.
This represents the whole number of voting council positions authorized
by the law.
 A meeting with fewer than 6 members present is not an official
meeting. No official actions may be taken.
 A vote of 6 members in favor is required to pass a resolution.
 A vote of 6 members opposed is required to defeat a resolution.

The whole number of members on CCHS is 13. This represents the whole
number of voting council positions authorized by the law.
 A CCHS meeting with fewer than 7 members present is not an
official meeting. No official actions may be taken.
 A vote of 7 members in favor is required to pass a resolution.
 A vote of 7 members opposed is required to defeat a resolution.
21
Session Agenda
What is a Council?
History of the Councils
The Council’s Role
Overview of Council Organization
Council Member Quick Facts
Power and Duties of Education Councils
 Quorum
 Public Officers
 Vacancies
 Reporting Requirements
 Bylaws
 Communication
 Questions for Reflection
22
Public Officers Law, Article 6
Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)

All final documents of a public body are subject to FOIL (exception:
minutes in draft form must be available upon request two weeks
after a meeting.)

Councils may direct that requests for agendas, minutes, proposals,
reports, etc., be submitted in writing.

Councils may not require that persons provide a reason for the
request.

Requests for public information are not brought to a council for a
vote. Routine requests should be handled by the Administrative
Assistant. If there is a question about whether requested material
should be released the AA should contact the FOIL Officer in the
Office of Legal Services.
23
Public Officers Law, Article 7
Open Meetings Law

“It is essential to the maintenance of a democratic
society that the public business be performed in an
open and public manner and that the citizens of this
state be fully aware of and able to observe the
performance of public officials and attend and listen to
the deliberations and decisions that go into the
making of public policy.”
 Council business must be transparent. Business
meetings are conducted in front of the public,
including the discussion and vote preceding passage of
all Council resolutions.
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Public Officers Law, Article 7
Open Meetings Law

All council meetings are open to the general public: business/working sessions,
calendar meetings, and committee meetings.

Notice of at least 72 hours must be given for regularly scheduled meetings.

The public must receive notice of all regularly scheduled meetings, all special
meetings, and all committee meetings.

Records, resolutions, policies and other documents scheduled to be discussed at open
council meetings should be made available to the public upon request prior to the
meeting, if practicable. If the council maintains a routinely updated website, such
documents shall be posted on the website to the extent practicable.

Minutes of a council meeting must be available within two weeks of the date of the
meeting even if they are still in draft form, and should be clearly marked DRAFT.
Please note: Absentee ballots, secret ballots, proxy
voting, e-mail and telephone polls, and phone
conferencing are not permitted
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Public Officers Law, Article 7
Open Meetings Law
 Executive Session

An executive session is a portion of a council meeting that is not open to the public. It may
take place only after a majority vote of the total membership of the council during either
business or calendar meeting. The motion or resolution to call an executive session must
specifically identify the matter for discussion.
 Executive sessions are only permitted under limited circumstances, such as:

medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or

matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline,
suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation;
 All council members may attend executive sessions. The council may authorize the
attendance of other persons as needed.


Executive sessions may not be used to discuss council member issues.
No action by formal vote shall be taken to appropriate public moneys during an executive
session.
26
Session Agenda
What is a Council?
History of the Councils
The Council’s Role
Overview of Council Organization
Council Member Quick Facts
Power and Duties of Education Councils
 Quorum
 Public Officers
 Vacancies
 Reporting Requirements
 Bylaws
 Communication
 Questions for Reflection
27
Vacancies Arising from Unexcused Absences
 CECs:
 Section 2590-c(6)(a) : “In addition to the conditions enumerated in the public
officers law creating a vacancy, a member of a community district education
council who refuses or neglects to attend three meetings of such council of
which he or she is duly notified, without rendering in writing a good and valid
excuse therefore vacates his or her office by refusal to serve. Each absence and
any written excuse rendered shall be included within the official written
minutes of such meeting. After the third unexcused absence the community
council shall declare a vacancy to the chancellor.”

CCSE, CCELL, and CCHS:
 Section 2590-b(7)(g) provides the same protocol for the citywide councils.

District 75
 Chancellors Regulation D-150 Sec.II(J)(1) provides the same protocol for the
District 75 Council.


This action requires an announcement at a calendar meeting to declare the
seat vacant.
Vacancies must be filled within sixty days after consultation with the
president’s council and other educational groups within the district.
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Session Agenda
What is a Council?
History of the Councils
The Council’s Role
Overview of Council Organization
Council Member Quick Facts
Power and Duties of Education Councils
 Quorum
 Public Officers
 Vacancies
 Reporting Requirements
 Bylaws
 Communication
 Questions for Reflection
29
Reporting Requirements

Section 2590-c(7)(a):
 “Each community council shall prepare and submit to the city board a performance
report every month. The information provided shall include community council
members' attendance records; participation in community council committees and
other community council activities; visits to schools; and voting records on major
issues before the community council.”

Section 2590-b(4)(b)(3):
 CCSE shall, “issue an annual report on the effectiveness of the city district in
providing services to students with disabilities and making recommendations, as
appropriate, on how to improve the efficiency and delivery of such services.”

Section 2590-b(5)(b)(ii):
 CCELL shall, “issue an annual report on the effectiveness of the city district in
providing services to English language learners and making recommendations, as
appropriate, on how to improve the efficiency and delivery of such services.”

Section 2590-b(6)(b)(ii):
 CCHS shall, “issue an annual report on the effectiveness of the city district in
providing services to high school students and making recommendations, as
appropriate, on how to improve the efficiency and delivery of such services.”
30
Session Agenda
What is a Council?
History of the Councils
The Council’s Role
Overview of Council Organization
Council Member Quick Facts
Power and Duties of Education Councils
 Quorum
 Public Officers
 Vacancies
 Reporting Requirements
 Bylaws
 Communication
 Questions for Reflection
31
Bylaws
 Bylaws provide structure to the councils. They provide the
operational framework that allows each council to conduct its
business effectively.
 They are rules adopted by the organization for the conduct of
business and for taking action.
 They describe how a board functions, and include the
important procedural rules that cannot be suspended, and
cannot be changed without prior notice to members.
32
Session Agenda
What is a Council?
History of the Councils
The Council’s Role
Overview of Council Organization
Council Member Quick Facts
Power and Duties of Education Councils
 Quorum
 Public Officers
 Vacancies
 Reporting Requirements
 Bylaws
 Communication
 Questions for Reflection
33
Communication is the Key to an Effective Council
Questions for Reflection
 How does the council communicate?
 Do council member interactions lead to productive dialogue?
 Why or why not?
 Is the message clear and is it getting to parents?
 What is the council’s method for distributing information?
 Do council members visit schools?
 Do they report back to the council?
34
Session Agenda
What is a Council?
History of the Councils
The Council’s Role
Overview of Council Organization
Council Member Quick Facts
Power and Duties of Education Councils
 Quorum
 Public Officers
 Vacancies
 Reporting Requirements
 Bylaws
 Communication
 Questions for Reflection
35
Questions for Reflection

Have your council members learned how to navigate the school system?

Do members bring educational issues to the business meeting?

How do council members identify the most important issues facing
students and parents?

How do council members advocate for their own children without
distracting from general concerns?

Do council members work to identify programs that would assist parents
in meeting the needs of their children?

What is their protocol for following up on parent concerns raised at their
meetings or brought to the council’s attention?
36