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About CECs

CEC Overview

Community Education Councils, created by the New York State Legislature, are the local bodies responsible for ensuring that public school parents and the public have input in educational decision-making at the community school district level.  There are 32 CECs in New York City, one for each community school district. They have jurisdiction over the public Pre-K programs, and elementary and middle schools in their district. Additionally, there are four Citywide Councils, specific to high schools, Special Education, English Language Learners and District 75 Special Education.  CECs operate independently of the New York City Department of Education ("DOE"), and act as liaisons between the public and DOE. All CEC members are volunteers, receiving no compensation for their work.

What does the CEC do?

CEC responsibilities are established by state law and implemented by the Chancellor's Regulations. They include:

  1. Approving school zoning lines

  2. Holding hearings on and submitting recommendations for the annual capital plan

  3. Evaluating the community district superintendent

  4. Reviewing the district's educational programs

  5. Holding hearings on DOE proposals affecting individual schools within the district

  6. Providing input to the Chancellor and the Panel for Educational Policy on district matters

Who serves on the CEC?

  • There are 13 members on each CEC:  9 are parents or guardians with children attending District 2 elementary and/or middle schools; 1 is a parent or guardian attending a District 75 school within District 2, 2 are appointed by the Manhattan Borough President; one is a district high school senior appointed by the community superintendent. 

  • The 10 parent/guardian members are elected by parents and guardians of students in the schools that we serve. At least one parent member must have a child with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and one must be the parent of a child receiving English Language Learner (ELL) services.

  • All members serve a two-year term, except for the high school senior.

How does the CECD2 operate?

  • Meetings are held every month, at various district schools or on occasion at 333 Seventh Avenue. Calendar and working business meetings are held on the same evening. The calendar meetings solicit and encourage public comments on issues important to District 2 families. At working business meetings, the council discusses its course of action in addressing various issues. Special meetings are scheduled as needed. 

  • All meetings, including committee meetings, are open to the public. Each CEC member serves as a liaison for a group of schools to maintain communication with the PA/PTA leadership and the principal. Members may attend PA/PTA and SLT meetings at their liaison school to keep abreast of relevant issues.

District 2 Geography:

  • Community School District 2 extends from the tip of Manhattan to 59th Street on the west side and approximately 96th Street on the east side. Roosevelt Island and Governors Island are part of District 2.

  • The area south of 14th Street and east of Fourth Avenue/The Bowery is in School District 1. \

  • District 2 serves 33 elementary/middle schools (K-5 or K-8), and 20 middle schools (6-8 or 6-12) serving over 25,000 students.

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