Res 1018-2025

Whereas, The New York City (NYC) Department of Education (DOE) school district is the largest public school system in the United States, serving more than 900,000 students enrolled in nearly 1,600 schools; and Whereas, According to DOE Chancellor's Regulation A-655, each community school district is required to have a District Leadership Team (DLT) to facilitate collaboration among stakeholders, develop the District Comprehensive Educational Plan - a strategic document that includes annual district goals and objectives - provide budget oversight, offer policy guidance, and conduct periodic evaluations of district-wide educational programs through consensus-based decision-making; and Whereas, DOE Chancellor's Regulation A-655 specifies that DLT membership must include parents, community representatives, school principals, union representatives, the district superintendent, and, where appropriate, high school student representatives; and Whereas, Pursuant to New York State ("NYS" or "State") Education Law �2590-i, each public school principal must consult with a school-based management team - known as a School Leadership Team (SLT) - to develop the school's Comprehensive Educational Plan, a strategic planning document that sets annual goals and action plans to improve student achievement; and to ensure alignment with the school-based budget, provide budgetary guidance, and evaluate programming through consensus-based decision-making; and Whereas, DOE Chancellor's Regulation A-655 stipulates that SLT membership must consist of an equal number of parents and school staff, including mandatory members such as the school principal, the Parent Association/Parent Teacher Association president, the United Federation of Teachers chapter leader, and at least two student representatives in high schools; and Whereas, If passed, S.3064, sponsored by NYS Senator James Sanders Jr., and A.505, sponsored by NYS Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson, would amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York to require each DLT and SLT in the NYC public school system to include one student representative; and Whereas, It stipulates that the Community Superintendent appoint high school student representatives to DLTs, and SLT chairs (or co-chairs) appoint student representatives to SLTs; and Whereas, Currently, DLTs are not required under State law or City regulation to include student representatives, while SLTs are only required to include student representatives in high schools; and Whereas, Standardizing student membership in both school- and district-level decision making would allow students the opportunity to voice needs, priorities, and feedback on decisions that directly affect them, strengthening transparency and accountability; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.3064/A.505, to require each District Leadership Team and School Leadership Team to include one student representative as a member of such teams within the New York City public school system. CGR LS #19686 07/01/2025 10:40 AM