Senator Velmanette Montgomery and Assemblyman David Weprin Push Bill To End Mayoral Control of NYC Schools

Senator Velmanette Montgomery and Assemblyman David Weprin have introduced Senate bill S840 and Assembly bill A3922 which would end mayoral control of the NYC schools. The bill would create an independent NYC Board of Education. This new Board would have the authority to appoint the NYC Schools Chancellor and have control over educational policy. Parents and education professionals would regain a greater voice in the education process.

“Mayoral control does not work.” said Senator Montgomery, “Control of our schools must be put back in the hands of educational professionals who have a deep understanding of our children’s needs—and the skills to produce positive educational outcomes.”

What is Being Proposed

This bill will restore a democratic system of checks and balances by changing the composition of the Board of Education. The Board of Education would continue to have 13 members.

* Each Boro President would continue to appoint 1 member.

* Each member would have to have a child in the NYC public school system.

* The City Council would appoint 4 members.

• One of these would be a representative of a college or university.
• One would be a member of a parent’s organization.
• One would be a member of a Parent’s Educational Council.
• One member to be appointed at large.

* The Mayor would appoint 4 members.

• Each member would have to be a resident of New York City
• At least one appointee would have to have a child in the NYC public school system.

Why this Bill is Necessary

This legislation will require that the New York City Board of Education be comprised of individuals appointed by several entities. This fact, coupled with the proposal that the Board appoint the city school district chancellor, will allow the Board to operate as an independent entity apart for the office of the NYC  mayor. By removing mayoral control over the selection of the chancellor, there will be checks and balances and a chance for public review of decisions made by the Board to ensure transparency and accountability.

Additionally this bill will allow those with a vested interest in education, such as parents of school children and those in higher education, to be directly involved in the policy creation and decision making of the education system.

"The bottom line is the current system needs to be restructured to maximize parental and community input. Parents need to be at the decision-making table when it comes to educating their children. The current Board is just a rubber stamp. They have no real power and are completely beholden to the administration." said Assemblyman Weprin.

For more information about the bill, visit https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s840

To learn more about Senator Montgomery's work on Mayoral Control, visit:

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/velmanette-montgomery/senator-montgomery-discusses-mayoral-control-new-york-city

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/velmanette-montgomery/senator-montgomery-calls-reform-mayoral-control-nyc