Community Education Councils (CECs) are volunteer parents and community leaders dedicated to supporting local district schools to improve student achievement. Their responsibilities include:
- Working with the local superintendent to evaluate educational programs and student progress
- Recommending improvements to school buildings
- Contributing to the hiring process for superintendents and parent coordinators and evaluating the superintendent yearly
- Approving school zoning lines submitted by the superintendent
- Organizing town halls with the chancellor and holding hearings on budget and other matters where NYCPS is required to collect public feedback
- Participating in joint public hearings and providing input on school closings and co-locations
- Hosting monthly public meetings for parents to learn about NYCPS policies and share concerns
- Supporting school communities by connecting parents with resources and working with School Leadership Teams
CECs are established under, and their powers and duties are defined by, New York State Education Law. Their members are public officials who serve their communities as unpaid volunteers. Learn more about the CECs’ roles and responsibilities .
Each Community Education Council (CEC) consists of 12 voting members
- 9 are parents of children in pre-K through 8th grade, attending a district school or a pre-K program offered by a district school; these members are elected by parents of children attending these schools and programs.
- Of these 9, one must be a parent of a student with and IEP, and one must be a parent of a student who is an English Language Learner.
- 1 parent of a student attending a District 75 school or program located in the CEC’s district.
- 2 are residents and/or local business leaders appointed by the Borough President.
- In addition, each CEC includes 2 non-voting high school seniors who live in the district and is appointed by the Community Superintendent.
See the councils in action by attending their meetings and see a list of current members.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CECs are there?
There are 32 CECs in New York City, one for each Community School District. Each CEC represents current Pre-K through 8th-grade students in DOE schools within its district.
When is eligibility determined?
Eligibility is determined as of the date that an application to run for a seat on a CEC is submitted. Once elected, parent members are allowed to serve a full two-year term on the CEC even if they no longer have a child in a school under the jurisdiction of the Community School District
What if I don't meet these eligibility criteria?
If you do not meet the above criteria, you may still be eligible to serve as one of the two Borough President appointees on each CEC. Appointees do not need to be parents but must reside in the CEC’s district, or own or operate a business there; additional requirements are listed in Chancellor’s Regulation D-140. Learn more and find the Borough President Appointee application here.