Please print and share this information with anyone interested in learning more about the 2023 elections for Community and Citywide Education Councils.
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to run for an Education Council. What do I need to do?
In order to run for a seat on an Education Council, you need to first sign up for a NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) and link all your children attending DOE schools to it. The account must be in your name.
Who is eligible to run for a seat on an Education Council?
All elected members of the Education Councils must be parents. For the purpose of determining eligibility, chancellor’s regulations define “parent” as: “A parent (by birth or adoption, stepparent, or foster parent), legal guardian, or person in parental relation to a child. A person in parental relation to a child is a person who is directly responsible for the care and custody of the child on a regular basis in lieu of a parent or legal guardian.”
Additional eligibility requirements vary by council.
If you are applying to a Community Education Council (CEC), you must have a child who currently attends Pre-K through 8th grade in a school under the jurisdiction of the community school district where you wish to serve on the CEC. You will also qualify to run for a seat on that CEC if you have a child attending a District 75 program physically located in the CEC’s geographic district. This is a reserved seat, for which only District 75 parents can run or vote.
If you are applying to the Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS), you must have a child currently attending a public, non-charter high school. CCHS has ten elected seats, two for each borough. There is a separate election for each borough; where your child’s high school is located will determine which ballot you qualify for.
If you are applying to the Citywide Council for District 75, you must have a child enrolled in a District 75 school or program anywhere in New York City. That child will also qualify you to run for the CEC where your child’s program is physically located.
If you are applying to the Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE), you must have a child with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The child may be in a DOE, charter or private school.
If you are applying to the Citywide Council on English Language Learners (CCELL), you must have a child classified as an English Language Learner who is currently enrolled in a Dual Language, Transitional Bilingual Education, or English as a New Language (ENL) program, or who was enrolled in such a program within the previous two years.
How do I apply as a parent of a Special Education Student?
If you are applying to the Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE), you must have a child with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The child may be in a DOE, charter or private school. If your child is not enrolled in a DOE school and you cannot establish a NYCSA account, please send us an email at Elections2023@schools.nyc.gov.
Can I apply if I do not have a NYC Schools Account (NYCSA)?
If you have children attending a DOE school, you must apply through your individual NYC Schools Account. Please contact your school's parent coordinator for help with setting up an account and linking all your children.
When is eligibility determined?
Eligibility is determined as of the date you submit an application to run for a seat on an Education Council.
If you are elected to a CEC, CCHS, or CCD75, you will be allowed to complete a full two-year term even if you no longer have a qualifying child in a DOE school.
However, if you are elected to CCSE or CCELL, you will be required to resign your seat if you no longer have a child with an IEP or if your child ceases to be an eligible ELL.
When should I submit my application for an Education Council seat?
The application period closed at 11:59 pm on February 23, 2023.
What if I don't meet the eligibility criteria for an elected seat?
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for the council you are interested in serving on, you may still be eligible to serve as an appointee. Appointees do not need to be parents but must meet other qualifications.
Each CEC includes two voting members appointed by the relevant Borough President. Qualifications include residing in the CEC’s district, or owning or operating a business there.
Find the Borough President Appointee application here.
CCSE, CCD75 and CCELL each have two Public Advocate appointees. Appointees must be residents of New York City and demonstrate relevant experience.
Find the Public Advocate Appointee aplication here.
CCHS has three appointees. One is appointed by the Public Advocate and must be a resident of New York City with extensive business or education experience; one is appointed by CCSE and must be a parent of a student with an IEP attending a DOE high school; and one is appointed by CCELL and must be an ELL enrolled in a dual language, transitional bilingual education or ENL program.
Can I run for more than one Council?
You can run for multiple councils, but you can only serve on one.
The council(s) you are eligible for are based on the children linked to your NYCSA and will be automatically displayed when you apply. For example, if you have three children—an ELL enrolled in a District 75 program in District 2, a first grader with an IEP in a District 1 school, and a 10th grader in a Queens high school—you will see these options: CCD75, CCSE, CCELL, D75 seat on CEC 2, CEC 1, and CCHS-Queens. You will be required to check the ones you wish to run for and rank them in order of preference. If you are elected to more than one council, you will be assigned to serve on the one you ranked highest.
How long does it take to complete the application form?
Apart from the personal statement, all sections of the application can be completed in 5-10 minutes. Although the personal statement is not obligatory, you are strongly advised to submit one. The statement has a 500-word limit and you will be able to return to where you left off if you cannot finish the application in one session.
Once you have completed your application, familiarize yourself with the campaigning guidelines.
Who is not eligible to apply or serve on an Education Council?
All parents of qualifying children are eligible to run for an Education Council seat, but some are ineligible to serve under state law. These include all current DOE employees, most elected public officials, and members of the Panel for Educational Policy; if you fall in one of these categories you will be allowed to run but will be asked to choose between continuing in your position and serving on a council should you be elected. Under certain circumstances, other parents may be barred from serving as well. Please see Chancellor’s Regulation D-140-170 for further details.