CEC candidate forums attract few parents
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In 2002, when Mayor Mike Bloomberg took control of city schools, he abolished community school boards. One year later, he created the Community Education Councils to be the new parent voice. Critics say they have far less authority than the old school boards. “The word out there is that the CEC has no power,” said Carmen Taveras, a District 12 CEC member appointed by the Bronx Borough President. “They think, ‘for what? Why would I go out there [to a CEC meeting]?’”
Turnout varied from district to district
A few of the more active districts saw a bigger turnout at the candidate forums; Manhattan’s Districts 2 and 3 each attracted about 40 people. In District 2 there were about 24 parents in an audience of 40, according to Michael Markowitz, a CEC member. “We have a pretty good sense of what’s fluff and what’s real. The CEC candidate forums and process looks like such as sham from the get go,” said Markowitz, who added that District 2 parents go directly to their elected political officials for change, not the CEC.
According to Julie Androshick of Grassroots Initiative, which organized and publicized the candidate forums under the name powertotheparents.org, it is not accurate to say attendance was low. “When you say low turnout, you’re looking at the turn-out relative to what,” said Androshick. She noted that, if during the last election, only two parents attended the forums, and this year 20 parents came out, then that amounts to about a “900 percent increase.”
In District 13, Family Advocate Precious Jones-Walker moderated the meeting, which was attended by 12 people. “I would like to have had representatives [at the forum] from all schools in my districts. That’s about 46. I don’t think that’s unrealistic,” she said.
District education councils are composed of nine elected public school parents, two borough president appointees, and one high school senior. This year, 11 district elections will be uncontested, which means they have nine or fewer candidates running. In contrast, in the last election in 2007, only seven CECs had nine or fewer candidates.
Vacant seats
Many districts across the city have vacant CEC seats. District 13 had just two members serving this year; District 28 in
Long criticized for excluding parents from decision-making, Chancellor Joel Klein is now cheering the effective role of the CECs. In a press release issued on April 6, he points out that “more than 500 parents applied to be candidates for their CECs.” Applicants and candidates, however, are not the same. Many parents, who initially expressed interest in running, dropped out.
“Comparing candidates to applicants can be a bit like apples and oranges because a significant number of applicants are deemed ineligible or withdraw from the ballot during the application process because they don’t want to step down from their PA/PTA officer position or have some kind of conflict of interest,” writes Jeff S. Merritt, president of the Grassroots Initiative in an e-mail message. Of the 500 plus applicants, 428 candidates are eligible for election – a drop from the 690 candidates in 2007.
Candidates’ experience varies widely
Of the eligible candidates at the forums, some appeared ill-informed while others expressed clear ideas on changes they would like to see in schools. In District 3, candidates clearly articulated the desire for more math and science instruction, less test prep, and smaller classes. In District 28, Tami Ruiz, a former journalist, plans to use her contacts and knowledge to further the cause of the CEC. “I know who the people are to tip; I’m the one they used to tip off! Am I gonna open up my Roladex? Sure,” she said. Ruiz also said she would like to examine the “under-utilized” position of parent coordinator to see how the PC can better help parents.
In other districts, some candidates were unsure of their role on a CEC. “I’m really gonna be honest. I do not know much about the CEC. As a CEC representative, I really don’t know,” said Suzanna Figeroa, a District 12 candidate. In several districts charter schools were a topic on which candidates were not well- informed. District 12 candidate Winifred Coulton said she would like to “get rid of charter schools,” because they only accept students with 3 and 4 on state exams. District 5 candidate James Hunt said “I’m not a fan. [Charter schools] are more lenient. There is not a lot of structural education being taught at them.” In fact, charter schools cannot admit students based on test scores and many tend to be more structured and traditional than neighborhood schools.
More training for CEC members
Recognizing the diminished parent voice, and the watered-down training for CEC members, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer recently proposed legislation to give more power to the CECs. “Community Education Councils must be reformed and empowered to be the voice that public school parents and school communities need and deserve,” said Stringer in a press release. Currently, CEC members receive training from the DOE. Stringer believes training should come from the Borough Presidents’ offices. Additionally, he proposed that specific guidelines be created on how the DOE gathers input from CECs.
To be a real parent voice, some CEC candidates said they need more training. “It’s not that we’re not willing to learn. We need people who are willing to teach us, and when it’s convenient for us, not for them,” said Aida Colon, a District 12 candidate. “We have the power, but we don’t know how to use it yet.”
Parents have until April 22 to participate in the online straw vote. The results of the straw poll will be made public before PTA officers vote between May 12-14. (Reporting contributed by Insideschools staff)
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I am rubbing for a seat on the cec from district 10. There were eerily very few parents at our presentation. I am a student advocate and feel strongly that the entire system is topsy turvy. Our chancellor needs to take education seriously which means power back to students to help them into this century. The way us through empowered parent bodies. The cec as it us now is too bureaucratic just like the DOE. Just like the governmnent.
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Comment by Elise krentzel — April 7, 2009 @ 3:36 pm
I share the feeling that the CECs have no power whatsoever. Are there examples of issues on which Mayor Bloomberg or Chancellor Klein has made any effort to consult with CECs?
It’s likely my faded memory but I cannot recall a single example of a policy submitted to CECs for its comments criticism or review. Can you? Unless and until the CECs have some constructive role, it is hard for me to imagine parents clamoring to become Council members.
Comment by Daniel Millstone — April 7, 2009 @ 3:36 pm
District 3 attracted “about 40 people?” Didn’t look like it to me…Maybe if you count the DOE and Power employees plus the candidates. While I (a PA/PTA officer) enjoyed seeing the candidates whom I did not know, it was a time-waster for parents whose vote does not ‘count.’
Comment by anni — April 7, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
I am a parent in District 10 and I would have loved to attend a forum, but there was only one scheduled and it was on a night I couldn’t go. I’m sure there are many others like me.
Comment by Ron — April 7, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
While many well informed and active parents serve on CEC’s, the total erosion of their power and influence has sapped their energy.
There is an absolute need for a parent body with real influence to be part of the DoE, but as long as Klein and Bloomberg force them into mere rubber stamp mode, busy parents will find other commitments.
I genuinely admire the CEC of District 2 and do not mean to disparage them or their commitment in any way but I can see how their influence has been diminished, and how disheartening that is.
I think that the intial stated intentions of the CEC’s should be honoured, giving them rights over zoning (not just recommendations that can be ignored, but actual, legal rights) and making them true advocates for parents.
Comment by Liat Silberman — April 7, 2009 @ 6:17 pm
I am an employee of DOE and as I seen so far some of these CEC members are not very good at what they are suppose to do. I have seen at times about two parents sitting in the school lunchroom and the look in their faces told me that they did not understand. One parent told me that was the last time she would attend. I don’t blame her, all you heard in the CEC meeting is how they don’t this person or that person. Or telling people to leave because according to the CEC people there, they were not allowed. Did not hear anything about the community or the children. I think that is all over the five boroughs, non professionals, under trained, and mostly, no heart for the position. All these people think of the CEC as a title with no know-how.
Comment by carmen — April 7, 2009 @ 6:19 pm
Much of what you write here is true about how the administration has disregarded the legitimate input of the CECs — however it is not accurate to say that Bloomberg abolished community school boards and created the Community Education Councils. This was done by the state legislature — which gave the CECs very little actual power, except on rezoning and to be “consulted” as to putting new schools or closing schools in their districts — both of which functions the administration has ignored.
Comment by leonie haimson — April 7, 2009 @ 7:46 pm
The sad part is that they spent millions, which could have gone to support our kids, on this sham election. Shame on you, Joel Klein.
Comment by bklynmom — April 7, 2009 @ 8:21 pm
Not a lot of parents or PA officials may have showed up, but not all the candidates did either! Attendance was mandatory for candidates but they cannot be kept off the ballot because they weren’t there, according to our CEC Chairman.
Disclosure - my husband is running in District 22.
Comment by AlisonBrooklyn — April 8, 2009 @ 8:03 am
Wow, I validate each and every comment shared in this forum. The CEC’s really are a sham, I agree that there really is no “Parent Power”. What upsets me the most is the money spent…Not only does the Mayor and Chancellor higher outside consultants at an extrodinary price, but the cost of the advertisement to cover this “Sham” is also ridicules and disgraceful!! In my opinion, there should be a board of parents and professions that function as a school board, that are paid for their services and that do not report to the Mayor or the Chancellor, but TO THE PARENTS!!!! Now that’s POWER TO THE PARENTS!!!!
Comment by Diana — April 8, 2009 @ 9:13 am
I went to the website where the candidates were listed and ended up not voting. Not only was my district uncontested, but I also saw no evidence that most candidates had a clear platform. And I suspect this is because they in turn have no real sense of what the CEC is supposed to do. If the DOE had shifted the emphasis from getting the vote out to communicating the fact that the CECs will have a real say in the governing of the schools–and making sure that they do have a say–I think candidates and voters would have been out in droves. As it stands, this just doesn’t feel relevant to any facet of my child’s schooling, so I will continue to ignore the CEC and channel my influence into fundraising and pushing for academic enrichment, to bolster the limited and unchallenging curriculum mandated by the DOE. I don’t see a reason to vote and support this sham.
Comment by district 13 parent — April 8, 2009 @ 3:28 pm
I see Grassroots Initiative has drunk the DoE CoolAid. Turn out was low compared to what, she asks. You know how many PTAs are in a given district. Turn out is low if you don’t have a rep from at least a majority of the schools in the district! Plain and simple.
Comment by Shino Tanikawa — April 9, 2009 @ 6:26 am
This was absolutely not well publicized. Yes there was a notice of a mysterious CEC meeting on March 26th from several corners. But did anyone on any level of DoE or school governance take the time at each school to send an email, handout, or other mdia to explain to parents what this group is about, its purpose and its value to parents and students? Not in my experience of it.
I vaguely recall the CEC initials when it was formed several years ago by Joel Klein. And it certainly hasn’t been a visible group to the average city parent. In fact googling “Community Education Council NYC site:nytimes.com” produces troubling results. What the hell has this group done since its inception? It would seem nothing. Is this group just a DoE PR line itme? Is this just the usual suspects of parents who get involved to jockey for their own concerns and/or advancement?
The CEC has not been effective. Period. Fortunately I see a handful of candidates (surely not 9) who look like they could make a difference to try to turn the tide around with the DoE. But I am not hopeful.
Comment by Clinton Parent — April 11, 2009 @ 9:39 am
Amen to the comment made by Diana. The role of the CEC is to ensure the that ALL of our children get the education they are entitled so they can compete and keep up with a world that is changing rapidly and threatens to leave them behind. Our children are not test robots. Testing does not empower our children nor does it bring them success. To make this act possible, the CEC, DOE, Mayor and Chancellor alike are held accountable to no other than the parents whose tax dollars are being burned in front of their eyes to carry out their current fruitless cause. The Power belongs in the hands of the Parents! Our children have no greater advocate than us. Our outcry is the trumpet call to change not the CEC.
Comment by T. Fredericks — April 11, 2009 @ 12:27 pm
I presently work in an elementary school and have encouraged parents to be involved in this wonderful process. One that would engage parents to be advocates for our children in this capacity. I believe it is indeed a great privilige. I have over the last two years experienced an elected parent working as a CEC representative and doing a great job, working with the local district office. Negotiations were carried out on the children’s behalf and there were numerous well needed results. I believe that parents are not sure of what would be required of them in undertaking this position. Probably training of interested parents, prior to a final acceptance of this position could be considered.
Comment by Joan - Parent Coordinator — April 14, 2009 @ 11:43 am
As a student organizer, this is a familiar kind of struggle. The opportunities created by the mayor and chancellor for student voice (like the Borough Students Advisory Council) are so innefective that most students give up, and then these opportunities are completely lost. It would be nice if, instead of giving up, hundreds of students got together to make these programs more effective. I hope parents keep up the fight for power and are not beaten down by this bureaucratic cycle.
Comment by Toni Bruno — April 14, 2009 @ 10:40 pm
Clearly the elections are a joke. CEC seats should be handled through the local Council Members for each district, similar to Community Boards. Unlike Boards there should be a term limit of no more thna six years on a CEC. The CEC should elect its own officers and conduct business under a charter devised by the DOE.
CEC members are now accountable to a local elected offical, and thus local parents who organize and vote.
Comment by Mr Weeg — April 20, 2009 @ 8:15 am