Enacts the "better schools act"; establishing procedures for certain education related matters

The key provisions which accomplish the Legislature's goal are as follows:

Section 2. This section sets forth the Legislature's goals of strengthening decision-making, promoting and emphasizing open communications and public forums, and engaging more shared decision-making by and between the stakeholder groups.

Section 3. This section provides the substantive changes to the Panel on Education Policy. The PEP will more effectively represent the diverse needs of the city, with each member having fixed terms of office of two years in duration. The PEP will be expanded to 17 members, who will be appointed as follows:

* 8 appointed by the Mayor * 1 by each of the borough presidents * 1 by the city council * 1 by the governor * 1 by the Speaker of the Assembly * 1 by the Temporary President of the Senate

The bill empowers the PEP to vote on the selection of a Chairperson of the PEP from among its voting members.

Section 4: The District Superintendents for the 32 Community School Districts shall be empowered to supervise and evaluate principals of the schools within their school districts and to address issues of school choice, student discipline, language access for parents and students, the education of students and with disabilities, and shared decision making within those schools.

Section 5: The Chancellor is responsible for proposing the DOE operating budget, the five-year capital plan, procurement contracts, and changes to educational policies and standards and the PEP has the responsibility to vote on the approval of those items proposed by the Chancellor.

Section 6: Procurement contracts that exceed $200,000 would require Board approval.

Section 7: This Legislation requires that the Chancellor be appointed by the Mayor and serve as an ex officio member of the PEP. Section 12: The Community Education Council's role with regards to school closings, resitings and insertions shall he clarified and strengthened to ensure adequate local role in decision making regarding school closings, resitings and insertions.

Section 12-a. The Comptroller of the City of New York shall have the power to audit the Department of Education.

Section 14: The Independent Budget Office shall be required to produce reports on Department of Education finances and academic achievement and shall he provided full access to all necessary records to perform this function.

Section 15: This legislation requires meaningful Parent, Student and Community Participation in Department of Education decisions, by creating a Center for Parent and Student Service and Empowerment under the office of the Public Advocate, with the charge of outreach, training and support for parents and students.

Justification

The reforms to New York City school governance enacted in 2002 and 2003 expire in 2009. The legislature should not allow these crucial reforms to lapse, as this would return school governance to the prior outdated system that no longer exists. However, the current system can and must he improved.

This legislation has three core areas of focus: checks and balances, transparency and accountability, and public participation. The reform of mayoral control of school governance must take reasonable and meaningful steps to address the need to improve school governance in all three areas.

Prior legislative history

None. New Bill.

Fiscal implications

Minimal.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.