Senate Bill S8811

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8811

SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to meetings of the city
board, city-wide councils, community councils and school based manage-
ment teams

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This proposed legislation would amend Section 2590-b of the Education
Law to allow the city board, city-wide councils, community councils and
school based management teams to meet virtually, without the physical
presence of members or the public.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of this proposed legislation would amend section 2590-b of the
Education Law to permit the Panel for Educational Policy and city-wide
and community education councils in New York City to meet remotely,
without the physical presence of members or the public, provided that
              

other requirements of the Open Meetings Law relating to meetings of
public bodies are complied with.

Section 2 of the proposed legislation would amend section 2590-h of the
Education Law to permit school-based management teams in New York City
to meet remotely, without the physical presence of members or the
public, provided that other requirements of the Open Meetings Law relat-
ing to meetings of public bodies are complied with.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

During the pandemic, public bodies were allowed to hold entirely remote
meetings. Accordingly, the public bodies of the New York City school
district -- the Panel for Educational Policy, community and citywide
education councils, and school leadership teams -- were all permitted to
meet virtually. This change yielded overwhelmingly positive results,
with record numbers in attendance. Public bodies in the New York City
school district consist largely or entirely of volunteer parents of
school-aged children, with caregiving responsibilities which often make
it difficult for them to attend meetings in person. Nevertheless, due to
the complexity of conducting "hybrid" meetings under the current law,
many New York City school district public bodies choose to conduct their
meetings fully in person, which makes it difficult to meet quorum
requirements and eliminates the possibility of remote public attendance.
This undermines the notable improvement in public participation achieved
through the use of fully remote meetings during the pandemic.

In addition, "hybrid" Meetings under the current law cost significantly
more than fully remote meetings. Since the New York City school district
includes 36 community and citywide education councils and over 1,500
school leadership teams, all of which are required by statute to meet at
least monthly, a transition to entirely remote meetings would result in
significant cost savings for New York City public schools.

Allowing the public bodies of the New York City school district to
conduct their meetings fully remotely will continue to-increase parent
engagement and participation, thus reinforcing strong community
connections, as well as continue to foster transparency and openness
from New York City Public Schools.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

TBD

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the
amendments to section 2590b of the education law made by section one of
this act shall not affect the expiration of such section and shall
expire therewith; and provided further, however, that the amendments to
paragraph (b-1) of subdivision 15 of section 2590-h of the education law
made by section two of this act shall not affect the repeal of such
paragraph and shall be deemed repealed therewith.