Apply to Run for NYC’s Education Councils by February 23

There’s not much time left to make your mark on this year’s CCEC Elections!

From now through our new extended deadline on Thursday, February 23, 2023, all parents/guardians of current New York City public school students can apply to run for seats on any of the City’s 36 Community and Citywide Education Councils (CCEC) during the 2023 CCEC Elections being held later this year.

CCECs are made up of elected and appointed parent volunteers who play vital roles in shaping important decisions in school districts across all five boroughs. Each serving two-year terms, CCEC members have an opportunity to be an advocate for their communities and build relationships with other parents and school leaders along the way.

CCEC member responsibilities include:

• reviewing district educational programs and improvements to school buildings;
• approving zoning lines;
• organizing public meetings and town halls; and
• working together with both district and DOE leaders to make recommendations on a variety of issues

By participating in this year’s elections, whether as a candidate in February, or as a voter later this year, you’ll be making your voice heard and help shape education policies and programs for months and years to come.

Running for Seats

In order to run for a council seat during this year’s election cycle, you must submit your election application through your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) by the February 23 deadline. It’s also important to make sure that your NYCSA has the most up-to-date registration information for all of your children who are currently attending DOE public schools in grades Pre-K through 12 so that your eligibility can be verified once the application period closes.

There are two different types of education councils that parents may be eligible to join:

Community Education Councils (CECs)

There are 32 CECs across the City that provide parents an opportunity to get involved and have an impact on a district level. You are eligible to run for one of the nine elected seats in your district if your child is in Pre-K through grade 8 in a district (non-charter) public school. This year, you may also qualify for a seat reserved for the parent of a students enrolled in a District 75 program in the CEC’s geographical district.

Citywide Education Councils

There are also four Citywide Education Councils, each advocating for specific populations:

• • Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS)

If your child is in a public, non-charter high school, you can run for CCHS, representing the borough where your child’s high school is located. Parents members are elected by all parents of high school students in that borough.

• • Citywide Council on English Language Learners (CCELL)

If your child is or was in the past two years an English Language Learner, you can run for CCELL. Parent members are elected by parents of English Language Learners.

• • Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE)

If your child has an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) and receives special education services paid for by the NYC Department of Education, you can run for CCSE. Parent members are elected by parents of public school children with IEPs.

• • Citywide Council on District 75 (CCD75)

If your child is enrolled in a District 75 school or program, you can run for CCD75. Parent members are elected by parents of students in D75 schools.

What Happens Next?

After the application period closes on February 23, candidate forums will take place from February 27—April 20, 2023. These forums are an opportunity for candidates to tell voters why they should be elected to serve on an Education Council, and this year, all scheduled forums will begin at 6 p.m. virtually (i.e. Zoom). Learn more about this year’s forum schedule on our official “Candidate Forums Schedule” webpage—registration to attend these virtual forums will open on February 15.

Then, parent voting will take place online from April 21—May 9, 2023. Parents will vote for their preferred CCEC candidates through their NYCSA. All parents of current NYC public school students are eligible to vote during this period. Results will be announced in June 2023.

To learn more about the upcoming 2023 elections, visit our 2023 CCEC Elections webpage.

On behalf of the New York City Department of Education, we wish all of this year’s candidates a smooth and rewarding election process!

Banner photo by Wavebreakmedia. All rights reserved. Original can be found on iStock.