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July 17, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
The Queens Borough President’s office is accepting applications for residents to serve on some of the borough’s Community Education Councils.
Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee is looking to fill six positions in four districts before the new school year starts.
CECs are part of the city’s school governance structure and sitting members provide feedback to the schools chancellor and the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) on the school curriculum and various programs.
CEC members oversee elementary and middle schools within their respective community school districts. There are seven CEC community school districts in Queens and the vacant positions are in districts 25, 28, 29 and 30.
Lee said that COVID-19 had deeply disrupted the lives and education of students and she wants dedicated and education-minded individuals to apply for the roles.
“The CECs are designed to be a formal voice of community input and insights into shaping the New York City schools system,” Lee said in a statement Friday.
“On this critical road of rebuild and recovery for our future, such voices are needed now more than ever,” Lee said.
CEC members are required to attend monthly public meetings and visit schools in order to assess the educational needs of district schools. CEC members review educational programs and assess their effects on student achievement.
Members are also tasked with holding public hearings on a district’s capital needs before submitting a capital plan to the schools chancellor. School zoning lines are also approved by CEC members.
Only New York City residents that either live, own or operate a business within the community school district they seek to serve in can apply for the posts.
School Districts in NYC (Courtesy of the DOE)
The following CEC positions are available:
Two positions on CEC District 25 covering Flushing, Beechhurst, College Point, Murray Hill, Whitestone and Willets Point.
One position on CEC District 28 covering Jamaica, Briarwood, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens and Rego Park.
One position on CEC District 29 covering Jamaica, Jamaica Estates, St. Albans, Queens Village, Cambria Heights, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, Hollis and Rosedale.
Two positions on CEC District 30 covering Long Island City, Astoria, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Sunnyside and Woodside.
Applicants are required to download and fill out the CEC membership application form via this link.
Completed forms should be emailed to education@queensbp.org by Aug. 7.
For more information on the role visit: www.schools.nyc.gov/get-involved/families/education-councils.
