Continues the New York city community school district system; repealer

1 Co-sponsor

• Ruben Diaz

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the continuation of the New York city community school district system; and to repeal certain provisions of the education law relating thereto

Purpose

To amend the education law in relation to establishing procedures and policies for education related matters, establishing a board of educational policy.

Summary of provisions

This bill establishes a 13 member Board of Educational Policy; 5 Mayoral, One each B.P., One City Council Speaker. NYC Comptroller, 1 Public Advocate. Five year staggered terms. All meetings open to public. At least one meeting per month.

Board of Education to be run as a City agency for procurement, payment and contract purposes.

Approval of Budget and major expenditures by the Board is required.

Enacts school based budgeting with the principals of the schools in consultation with the PTA's, through public meetings, develop the budget.

Audit of the system by the City Comptroller.

Commissioner of Education appoints Borough Superintendents who must be residents of the Borough.

Borough Superintendents appoint district superintendents, in consultation with the Commissioner, from list of four candidates approved by District Board.

Borough Superintendents must consult with the respective Borough President on educational policy, staff, and performance of the district councils.

Commissioner appointed by Mayor, five year term, ex-officio on City Board. All powers and duties are subject to law and the commissioner can be removed for failure to follow law.

Commissioner and all superintendents must hold valid Superintendent license.

District Board elected from each school by PTA. Must be a parent to be a member of the Board. Staggered terms. All meetings of District Board open to public.

Establishes Independent Budget Office for Independent Audit of School Budget. Requires Commissioner and all Superintendents to cooperate with IBO.

District Superintendents must be appointed pursuant to the original Circular 30 on Appointments of Superintendents.

Justification

The law adopted in 2002 and 2003 governing the New York City School System expires June 30 2009. Without legislative action, the prior system of governance will be reenacted, a system that was shown over the course of 35 years to be inefficient and unworkable. The current system however, has limited community involvement and has over centralized the system as well as being non responsive to the parents of children attending New York City schools.

This legislation will let all constituencies participate in the process of school governance, while assuring a strong Commissioner of Education and that schools in the City of New York will improve their performance.

Legislative history

This is new legislation.

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Local fiscal implications

Minimal.

Effective date

June 30, 2009