Forums to meet the candidates for the new citywide council for English language learners (CCELL) and the newly reconstituted special education council (CCSE) are underway. Forums in Staten Island and Queens were held this week; still to come are those for Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx.

In Brooklyn you may meet the candidates at the Brooklyn Public Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza on April 19, In Manhattan, the forum is at Norman Thomas HS, 111 East 33 Street on April 21, and in The Bronx, the forum is at at Dewitt Clinton High School, 100 West Mosholu Parkway South, on April 22. All meetings begin at 5 pm for the ELL council candidates, and at 6:30 p.m. for the special ed council.

Since they were announced earlier this year, the new Citywide Education Councils have attracted little attention, either by potential candidates or parents. After the forums, there will be an advisory election by the city's parents meant to instruct Parents Association officers who do the actual selection.

With new eligibility requirements, the district community councils all have vacancies to fill as well. Click here to see more information on the DOE's website.

Did you attend a forum in Queens or Staten Island to learn about candidates for the new citywide councils? Do you plan to attend one in Brooklyn, Manhattan or the Bronx, next week?

Let us know if there was a good turnout, what issues were on the mind of candidates, or if the whole affair was an empty exercise.