Addabbo Introduces Bill to Enhance School Admission Process for Siblings, Addressing Parent's Concerns

[September 20, 2024] — Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., a member of the State Senate Education Committee, announced the introduction of Bill S9912, which is aimed at providing preference for school admissions to students who have siblings already enrolled in the same public elementary or middle school. This bill is particularly important for families living in cities with populations of one million people or more.

The goal of this bill is to make school admissions fairer and to help families who struggle with the challenges of having children in different schools. It can be tough for parents to manage drop-offs and pick-ups at two different school locations at the same time.

“At times, the public school admissions process places parents in a practically impossible situation – get their children to and pick them up from 2 different schools at the same time,” Addabbo said. “The unnecessary stress on the parent can be avoided with rational thought and common sense. By giving preference to siblings in school applications, we are supporting our families and building a stronger community in our schools.”

Addabbo stated he introduced this bill and intends to work on advancing it during the 2025 legislative session, in response to constituents who contacted him complaining that their child was being placed on a NYC Department of Education waitlist for a specific school, while currently having a sibling attending that same school. 

Bill S9912 aims to simplify the school application process, allowing families to focus on what matters most, supporting their children's education. By easing transportation and scheduling issues, this bill will improve the overall well-being of students and their families.