COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNCIL DISTRICT 17
Calendar & Business Meeting Minutes
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Scheduled Time: 6:30 PM
Location: PS138, Room 103, 760 Prospect Place, Brooklyn, NY 11216
President: Erika Kendall
CALENDAR MEETING
1. Call to Order
President Erika Kendall called the meeting to order at 6:41 PM and welcomed attendees to the August monthly meeting.
2. Roll Call
The following members were called during roll call:
- Letisha Amada — Present
- Tyeast McCain — Present
- Theresa James — Present
- Rebecca Jacques — Present
- Erika Kendall — Present
- Antoinetta Meekins — Absent
- Tiffany Melville — Present
- Ruby Miller — Present
- Michelle Morris — Present
- Dory Thrasher — Present
The transcript records eight members counted by the President during the roll call.
3. Report of Community Superintendent — Ms. Shenean Lindsay
Superintendent Shenean Lindsay provided district updates, noting that summer school had concluded and that the district was preparing for the new school year. She reported that the summer school program operated with very few issues.
State Assessment Data
Superintendent Lindsay reported that New York State assessment scores had been released and that the district was in the process of analyzing the results. She noted a discrepancy between state assessment results and i-Ready screener data and stated that the district would triangulate multiple sources of information, including qualitative information, to understand student performance.
She reported particular concern about the assessment results while emphasizing that the district would continue strengthening instructional practice, with particular attention to students with IEPs and students acquiring English. She anticipated providing a more detailed data report to CEC17 in September and holding a State of the District presentation later in September.
Superintendent Lindsay also discussed the transition to computer-based testing. She stated that this was the first year every New York City student took the assessment on a computer and noted that the district was examining whether technology use, changes in scoring, or other factors contributed to the results. She reported that District 17’s math results increased by one point while raising concerns about the citywide decline in literacy results.
In response to questions about access to computers, Superintendent Lindsay explained that schools track their available devices and that schools without sufficient resources can request additional devices after their budgets are reviewed. Dr. Holloway added that the expanded testing window allows schools to schedule use of devices across grades. Discussion also addressed the importance of students developing typing and computer skills as computer-based testing continues.
School Performance and Support
Superintendent Lindsay highlighted Central Brooklyn Literacy Academy, announcing that Principal Jason Borges had transitioned to a district-office role and that Sarah Benstrom had become the school’s new principal. She reported that enrollment was on track to meet projected levels and discussed the school’s literacy work and assessment results.
She also described plans for an adult literacy component through the school’s proposed literacy lab, in partnership with District 79 Adult Education, with the goal of supporting adults with literacy, GED preparation, and English-language acquisition.
Superintendent Lindsay highlighted P.S. 241, describing it as the district’s highest-performing elementary school according to the district’s internal analysis. She stated that the district was considering using the school as a lab site to share effective practices with other schools.
She clarified that the district’s school rankings are internal tools used to determine the level of support schools require and are not official public rankings. Schools with greater needs may receive targeted district support, including coaching and other assistance. The district is moving toward six-week cycles of support so that more schools can receive assistance.
The Superintendent also encouraged school leadership teams and parent associations to discuss recently released assessment, survey, and other school data at the school level.
School Surveys and Open Meetings Law
A discussion concerning school survey results led President Kendall to clarify that Open Meetings Law limits the Council’s ability to publicly discuss an individual’s job performance. Community members were encouraged to bring questions concerning personnel performance to an appropriate setting outside the public meeting. Superintendent Lindsay agreed that school-level conversations, including through SLTs and parent bodies, are appropriate venues for discussing school data and concerns.
After-School Registration
President Kendall raised concerns about the timing and accessibility of after-school program registration, particularly for incoming families and families who historically relied on paper applications or who may face language or technology barriers.
The discussion noted that DYCD registration was expected to open online on August 21. Superintendent Lindsay stated that schools should make laptops available and that parent coordinators could assist families with applications when barriers arise.
School Construction Authority Communication
President Kendall discussed a request from the School Construction Authority for a monthly meeting/communication channel with CEC17. The proposed arrangement would provide the Council with information about upcoming work in district buildings and give the Council an avenue to raise building-related concerns.
4. Comment Period for Elected Officials & Community Based Organizations
President Kendall opened the floor to elected officials and community-based organizations. No representatives came forward to speak.
5. Public Comment
No members of the public came forward during the initial invitation for public comment.
President Kendall subsequently raised a question concerning reports of immigration enforcement activity in the community. Superintendent Lindsay reported that she had received information from a principal concerning alleged ICE activity in the Little Haiti area and a reported detention at Atlantic Terminal. She stated that she escalates information received from the community and acknowledged that fear surrounding immigration enforcement had affected district attendance and enrollment.
Superintendent Lindsay estimated, based on conversations with principals, that the district had lost approximately 200 students as a result of families leaving or avoiding public spaces because of concerns about immigration enforcement.
6. President’s Announcements
President Kendall encouraged families to establish or access their New York City Schools Account. She explained that families can use the account to view student assessment scores, attendance, report cards, and other student information.
She advised families who do not yet have an account to contact their school’s parent coordinator for the required student code and stated that each student requires a code to be added to the account.
7. Adjournment of Calendar Meeting
At 7:32 PM, President Kendall announced that the calendar agenda was complete and called for a motion to adjourn. The transcript records Dory Thrasher as moving to adjourn and Rebecca Jacques as seconding the motion. President Kendall announced that the Calendar Meeting was adjourned at 7:32 PM and stated that the Council would reconvene for the Business Meeting.
INTERMISSION
A brief intermission followed the Calendar Meeting.
BUSINESS MEETING
1. Call to Order
President Erika Kendall called the Business Meeting to order at approximately 7:50 PM. She noted that the meeting began several minutes later than anticipated because members present in person were engaged in conversation. President Kendall reminded attendees that the Business Meeting was not a public-comment portion of the meeting.
2. Roll Call
Members were called for roll call. The transcript clearly records:
- Letisha Amada — Present
- Tyeast McCain — Present
- Theresa James — Present
- Rebecca Jacques — Present
- Erika Kendall — Present
- Antoinetta Meekins — Absent
- Tiffany Melville — Present
- Ruby Miller — Present
- Michelle Morris — Present
- Dory Thrasher — Present
3. Member Reports
Chancellor’s Monthly Meetings
President Kendall reported that the Chancellor had resumed monthly meetings with CEC presidents and the Chancellor’s Cabinet, including the Deputy Chancellors. She stated that the meetings would resume with the school year and that, although attendance was currently limited to CEC presidents, she could bring forward concerns raised by CEC17 members and the district community.
Summer High School Preparation Program
Michelle Morris reported positively on a summer high-school preparation program, referred to in the discussion as the Dream Academy, which prepares students for a specialized high school admissions test. She described several weeks of summer instruction focused on the format and types of questions appearing on the test and noted that student scores are monitored during the program.
BEAM Program
Tyeast McCain asked whether the BEAM program, described during the discussion as a Business, Entrepreneurship and Math program, was operating in District 17. President Kendall stated that Superintendent Lindsay was unfamiliar with the program and agreed to seek additional information.
Ms. McCain stated that she had a contact for the program and would provide information to the Council and Superintendent so that the Council could determine whether the program might be introduced or incorporated in District 17.
CUNY/Urban Assembly Schools and CEC Representation
Tiffany Melville raised questions about which education council should serve families of schools that are geographically located in District 17 but are not administratively part of District 17, including schools associated with CUNY Urban Assembly.
President Kendall explained her understanding that grades 9–12 fall under the Citywide Council for High Schools, while students in grades K–8 at schools geographically or administratively assigned to District 17 fall within CEC17’s jurisdiction. She acknowledged that the jurisdictional arrangement has not always been clearly communicated and encouraged families in the community to feel comfortable bringing concerns to CEC17 while also recognizing the role of the Citywide Council for High Schools.
4. Ongoing Business
4.1 District Planning Task Force
President Kendall reported that the District Planning Task Force had completed the district data workbook. She stated that she planned to host a virtual District Planning Task Force meeting toward the end of September so the completed data could be presented to and discussed with the community. The date had not yet been finalized pending confirmation with District Planning.
The discussion also addressed the importance of ensuring that families understand school planning, school development, and school closure processes. President Kendall discussed the Council’s previous experience involving district planning and a subsequent conversation with families from P.S. 398 concerning rumors about school closure.
Tyeast McCain proposed that CEC members receive more focused preparation for participating in school-level SLT conversations, particularly regarding the data families should understand when discussing school performance and potential school closure. President Kendall agreed that the Council should consider ways to support CEC members and parent leaders in navigating SLT processes.
President Kendall noted that the District Leadership Team has also discussed the need for clearer SLT processes and data-sharing expectations for parent members and school staff. She stated that the Council could continue developing this work and potentially include it in the Council’s retreat planning.
4.2 Chancellor’s Town Hall
President Kendall reported that the Chancellor’s Town Hall had been scheduled for May 4, 2027. She stated that the Council therefore had time to plan the event, including determining the host location and student performers.
In response to a question from Theresa James, President Kendall described the Town Hall as a roughly two-hour event involving coordination among the Council, host school, technology team, and Chancellor’s team. The host school traditionally sponsors the dinner and decorations, while the Council coordinates performers, serves as the event’s MC, and works with the technical team on the in-person and live-broadcast components.
President Kendall also described the system used to collect and organize parent questions during the event and emphasized the importance of ensuring that students are represented, parents’ questions are heard, and community needs are addressed.
4.3 Celebrate 17! Festival
Tyeast McCain reported on initial planning for the 2027 Celebrate 17! Festival. He stated that the Council intended to keep the event in May and that he was working on a flyer/save-the-date.
Several possible dates were discussed, including June 5 and May 22. The discussion considered conflicts with Memorial Day weekend, Mother’s Day weekend, the UFT Spring Conference, testing schedules, and other school events.
The Council ultimately indicated support for Saturday, May 22, 2027 as the date to plan around. Tyeast McCain volunteered to create the flyer and provide an update at the next meeting.
4.4 Administrative Assistant Hiring
President Kendall requested an update regarding the administrative assistant hiring process. The discussion established that candidate names had been selected and that the next step was to coordinate with Human Resources.
The process described was:
- Candidate names are submitted.
- Human Resources confirms candidate status and availability.
- Interview dates and times are provided.
- Human Resources contacts candidates and coordinates interviews.
- The Council conducts the interviews.
- Human Resources remains involved in the hiring and offer process.
Theresa James noted that Antoinetta Meekins had sent an email regarding the process in late July and stated that she would bring the email thread back to the top of the inbox. President Kendall stated that the Council would follow up by email.
5. New Business
Tyeast McCain volunteered to take responsibility for developing the Council’s website. He stated that the website would provide an important public-facing component of the Council’s work and offered to initially build the site while also helping other members learn how to maintain and use it so that responsibility would not rest with one person.
The Council welcomed the proposal and invited member feedback.
6. Meeting Planning
President Kendall thanked Theresa James for meeting with her earlier in the day and assisting with permits for upcoming Council meetings.
President Kendall announced that the next CEC17 meeting was scheduled for September 15, 2026. At the time of the meeting, a location had not yet been finalized.
President Kendall stated that she and Theresa James would work together to secure meeting locations for the upcoming school year. The existing Google document containing the Council’s meeting dates would be updated with locations as they were confirmed.
7. Adjournment
At 8:41 PM, President Kendall announced that the agenda was complete and called for a motion to adjourn.
Motion: Letisha Amada moved to adjourn.
Second: Theresa James seconded the motion.
President Kendall declared the meeting adjourned at 8:41 PM.