Res. No. 444
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.7275/A.8210 requiring all district leadership teams to operate under open meetings law requirements.
By Council Members Joseph, Louis, Hanif, Restler and Richardson Jordan
Whereas, The purpose of school-based planning and shared decision-making is to improve the educational performance of all students, regardless of such factors as socioeconomic status, race, sex, language background, or disability; and
Whereas, School-based planning and shared decision-making is based on the premise that better decisions are made when people functioning closest to implementation participate in making the decision; and
Whereas, Section 100.11 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education (Section 100.11) directs each community school district to develop a plan for the participation of parents, teachers, and administrators in school-based planning and shared decision-making; and
Whereas, In the City of New York, District Leadership Teams (DLTs) consisting of parent, teacher, and administrator representatives from elementary, middle, and high schools geographically located within each community school district fulfill the section 100.11 requirements regarding the district-level plan for the participation of parents and staff in school-based planning and shared decision-making; and
Whereas, New York City Chancellor’s Regulation A-655 (CR A-655) establishes guidelines regarding the formation and operations of DLTs in every community school district; and
Whereas, CR A-655 directs each DLT to develop a District Comprehensive Educational Plan, which includes annual goals and objectives that are aligned with the district’s and the Chancellor’s goals as well as the means and standards by which all parties in the district evaluate improvement in student achievement; and
Whereas, New York’s Open Meetings Law states, “It is essential to the maintenance of a democratic society that the public business be performed in an open and public manner and that the citizens of this state be fully aware of and able to observe the performance of public officials and attend and listen to the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy;” and
Whereas, DLTs are an important part of the governing structure of the New York City public school system; and
Whereas, DLTs are not operating according to Open Meetings Law requirements; and
Whereas, S.7275, introduced by State Senator James Sanders Jr. and pending in the New York State Senate, and companion bill A.8210, introduced by Assembly Member Khalil Anderson and pending in the New York State Assembly, would require DLTs to operate under Open Meetings Law requirements; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.7275/A.8210 requiring all District Leadership Teams to operate under open meetings law requirements.
NM
LS # 11652
12/14/2022