Senator John Liu Statement on School Governance and Mayoral Accountability
March 8, 2022
-
COMMITTEE:
- New York City Education
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2022
Contact: Scott Sieber | press@johnliusenate.com | 917-789-8758
SENATOR JOHN LIU STATEMENT ON
SCHOOL GOVERNANCE AND MAYORAL ACCOUNTABILITY
New York - New York State Senator John C. Liu stated the following about today’s joint hearing by the state legislature on school governance and mayoral accountability. In January, Governor Hochul proposed in her executive budget the renewal of New York City’s system of mayoral accountability (aka mayoral control) for four years. As mayoral accountability is set to expire on June 30, the state Senate and Assembly must also make a determination on whether to renew, amend or disapprove mayoral accountability by the state budget deadline on April 1, or via legislation before the June 30 expiration.
Senator John Liu stated, “The approaching expiration of mayoral control of our schools on June 30th demands a hard look at how to make the mayor’s governance of our educational system more accountable to New York City’s students and parents. For the last 20 years, stakeholders have bemoaned previous administrations’ lack of checks and balances and engagement on critical issues. There remain legitimate questions about whether or not the current system of mayoral accountability that has been so widely criticized, should be continued, changed, or abandoned.
“Today, we heard a wide range of insights, criticisms, and suggestions from city and state officials, unions, parents, educators, and the general public. At stake is the future of our kids’ education at a time when so many have suffered from pandemic-induced stress, and we cannot afford to risk the same mistakes of the past. Many thanks to all who testified today, and we encourage the public to continue sharing their insights about what changes, if any, they want to see in the future of school governance and mayoral accountability.”
Watch the full hearing here: https://www.nysenate.gov/calendar/public-hearings/march-04-2022/joint-public-hearing-discuss-school-governance-reform-and
###