Category: 2013

APPROVED AND ADOPTED AUGUST 27, 2013

Resolution to Implement District 17

Comprehensive District Middle School Choice

For 2013 – 2014 School Year

WHEREAS, Community Education Council District 17 held meetings in June, July, August which

included the District Superintendent, Principals , Parent leaders, and the community to discuss

Comprehensive District Middle School Choice, and

WHEREAS, representatives from the Office of Middle School Admissions were invited to CEC 17

meetings to present information and data pertaining to District 17 schools that participate in Middle

School Choice versus current zoned schools which do not, and

WHEREAS, eight out of ten members expressed their approval of implementing the proposed

Comprehensive District Middle School Choice for District 17 schools, and

WHEREAS, implementing a District Comprehensive Middle School Program will provide all

students of District 17 an opportunity to select a middle school that suits their academic interest and

needs, and

WHEREAS, 75% of families of District 17 are already using the Middle School Choice Application

process, and

WHEREAS, a District Comprehensive Middle School Choice program will open up an additional 6

schools that are not currently part of the application process allowing parents to choose from all

schools in District 17, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED THAT, CEC 17 approves the implementation of a Comprehensive District

Middle School Choice Program for District students and families beginning in the 2013-2014 School

Year by roll call vote at the CEC 17 August 27, 2013 Calendar meeting.

 

Nicole Job, President

Kenneth Wright, 1st Vice president

Ann Marie Williams, 2nd Vice President

Cherylann Welch, Recording Secretary

Faguenston Gilsaint, Treasurer

Latasha Nash, Member

Marvin Wheeler III, Member

Tammara Johnson, Member

Jean Gourdet, Member

Natasha Welsh, Borough President’s Appointee

Community Education Council District 17

Resolution in Support of Art Classes in District 17 Schools

Whereas, the arts (music, dance, theater and visual arts) are recognized as core subject areas at the federal, state and local levels

Whereas, parents and the public overwhelmingly agree that arts and music education is an essential component of a complete education

Whereas, the arts contribute to essential 21st Century skills, enhance cognitive abilities, and engage students in their learning and school community

Whereas, it is increasingly important that we equip the next generation of graduates with the skills and ability to think creatively, to innovate, and to become tenacious learners ready to solve complex problems and create solutions to our city and planet’s most pressing concerns

Whereas, all of these skills are cultivated through quality instruction in the arts

Whereas, far too many of our city’s public school children are not receiving the arts and music instruction that they deserve and are entitled to

Whereas, students of District 17 are not afforded the opportunity to attend specialized Arts High Schools and Colleges and the opportunity to pursue careers in the Arts upon leaving the public school system

Whereas, funding for arts supplies, instruments and materials have declined by 85 percent since the 2006-07 school year

Whereas, funding for school partnerships with arts and cultural organization has declined by 45 percent since the 2006-07 school year and approximately 250 city schools do not have any partnerships with local arts and cultural organizations

Whereas, approximately 400 city public schools do not have any part-time or full-time certified arts teachers on staff

Whereas, with New York City’s rich array of arts and cultural organizations and experiences; it is uniquely positioned to be the leader in arts and creative education.

 

Therefore, be it resolved, the Community Education Council of District 17, demand the New York City Department of Education inculcate arts programs in every District 17 school that includes:

• Standards-based instruction in music, dance, theater and the visual arts as described in State education law;
• Instruction by highly qualified certified arts teachers, enriched by the city’s dedicated teaching artists and professional artists;
• Partnerships and collaborations with the city’s rich array of arts and cultural institutions;
• Instruction in classrooms and facilities that are equipped for teaching and learning in the arts;
• Access to arts supplies, instruments, and state-of-the-art equipment and technology.

Resolution To Oppose Provisions In The New York State Budget For 2014 – 2015 Requiring The Department Of Education To Provide Space For Charter Schools At The Public’s Expense

WHEREAS, charter schools in New York City have been shown by the City’s Independent Budget Office to receive more public funding per pupil than public schools; and

 

WHEREAS, charter schools in New York City receive backing from wealthy investors who benefit from federal tax credits valued at millions of dollars under the Federal New Markets program; and 

 

WHEREAS, charter schools have resources and means to find their own facilities outside of the Department of Education’s building inventory; and

 

WHEREAS, District 17 and community stakeholders have showed on numerous occasions dissatisfaction with charter schools taking over public schools’ space and preventing public schools’ students from getting the required and needed services covered under Federal Title I Laws and requirements and/or programs due to space limitations; and

 

WHEREAS, the New York State Budget for 2014-2015 requires that the New York City’s Department of Education provide space at no cost to charter schools, thereby severely curtailing local control of city schools and placing public schools’ students at a distinct and unfair disadvantage; and

 

WHEREAS, charter schools in New York City frequently displace public schools’ students from existing schools’ facilities and deny the students of District 17 and it’s School growth preventing the implementation of College and Career Ready Standards

 

WHEREAS, charter schools in New York City have spent over  five (5) million dollars in fees to public relations and advertising firms in their campaign to demand public space clearly demonstrating Charter Schools have the financial ability to pay for its own space and

 

WHEREAS,  Charter Schools co-located in District 17 Schools be required to pay equal scale for space costs,  utilities, janitorial services, or school safety agents and  

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Community Education Council District 17 opposes to these provisions and calls upon the Senate  to introduce a new legislation rescinding the provisions requiring the Department of Education to provide free space to charter schools, thereby restoring local control of city schools; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Community Education Council District 17 hereby calls upon Governor Cuomo to allow the Mayor to oversee the usage of the New York City public schools’ space in accordance with the State Education Law on mayoral control. 

 

Nicole Job, President

Kenneth Wright, 1st Vice president

Ann Marie Williams, 2nd Vice President

Cherylann Welch, Recording Secretary

Faguenston Gilsaint, Treasurer

Latasha Nash, Member

Marvin Wheeler III, Member

Tammara Johnson, Member

Natasha Welsh, Borough President’s Appointee

APPROVED AND ADOPTED AUGUST 27, 2013 

RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE AUGUST 2013 POSTING OF

EDUCATIONAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) FOR DISTRICT 17

PROPOSED CO-LOCATION INCLUDING EXPANSION AND RE-SITING FOR

2014 – 2015 AND 2015 – 2016 SCHOOL YEAR

 

WHEREAS, the Division of Portfolio Planning has made proposals for co-locations which include re-siting and grade expansion for 2014 – 2015 and 2015 – 2016, and

WHEREAS, the Division of Portfolio Planning anticipates posting Educational Impact Statements (EIS) on August 28th, and

WHEREAS, by posting any EIS before the start of school on September 9 2013 it will effectively shorten the period of consultation with the community provided under State Law, and

WHEREAS, the posting of any EIS will also diminish the visibility of notice by parents, which in turn will diminish the public participation under State Law. Therefore

 

BE IT RESOLVED THAT, CEC 17 demands that the NYC DOE Division of Portfolio Planning ceasefrom posting any Educational Impact Statements for the months of August and September proposing co-locations including re-siting of schools and school expansion.

 

Nicole Job, President

Kenneth Wright, 1st Vice president

Ann Marie Williams, 2nd Vice President

Cherylann Welch, Recording Secretary

Faguenston Gilsaint, Treasurer

Latasha Nash, Member

Marvin Wheeler III, Member

Tammara Johnson, Member

Jean Gourdet, Member

Natasha Welsh, Borough President’s Appointee