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 Breaking NewsMedia Contact: For Immediate Release: Chancellor Klein Launches 2009 Citywide and Community Education Council ElectionsNew Process is More Inclusive and Cuts Costs New York - Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein today launched the 2009 Citywide and Community Education Council Elections. The Department of Education (DOE) changed the biennial election process this year based on feedback from parent leaders. For the first time, all parents will be able to cast a "straw vote" in April that will be considered in the May election by Parent Association and Parent-Teacher Association leaders-whose votes, according to State law, determine the new council members. The nomination process for candidates and the election process have been streamlined and moved online so that parents can vote from any computer with Internet access. Nominations will be made and voting conducted on the Web site powertotheparents.org, which will launch in late February. The election will cost $500,000, or 60 percent less than the $1.3 million spent in 2007. "Our Community and Citywide Education Councils help represent the interests of parents in education policy and broad citywide debates about student achievement," Chancellor Klein said. "I encourage parents who want to have a role in helping to influence policy to run for Council seats in this year's election and to vote in the straw poll open to every parent. And I'm pleased that in this time of economic hardship, we've been able to find a way to run a more open election process at less than half the cost." "By changing the selection process we are changing the way we partner with parent associations and redefining the relationship between families and their elected representatives," Department of Education Chief Family Engagement Officer Martine Guerrier said. "Community Education Councils need a constituency beyond their selectors in order to be successful. This process provides that first step toward greater community interest and investment in the hard work of councils across the City. It's time for all families to be involved in the campaign to support our Councils and be heard." "Hopefully, this new process will increase public awareness about the Councils, expand the applicant pool, and generate a higher selector participation rate," said Marvin Shelton, President of Community Education Council 10. Grassroots Initiative, a New York City-based non-profit organization, will conduct marketing and outreach to increase awareness and participation, while Election-America, a Washington, DC-based election administration service, will design and manage the technological aspects of the new election process. As part of the outreach campaign, information about Community Education Councils and the election process will be sent to every public school student's family. A toll-free voter hotline will be set up to give parents without computers or Internet access at home a list of locations with free Internet access. The online election system is compliant with relevant disability access standards. The Department of Education will provide ongoing support to candidates, and elected members will receive orientation and professional development throughout their term. The Department of Education will provide ongoing support to candidates, and elected members will receive orientation and professional development throughout their term. The CEC election will take place in four stages: Election materials will be available in nine languages. Results will be made available online in late May and early June. For more information about Citywide and Community Education Councils visit http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/CEC/GPInformation/CommunityEducationCouncils/one.htm, call the Office of Family Engagement and Advocacy at (212) 374-2323, or contact 311. ### Contact: David Cantor / Maibe González-Fuentes (212) 374-5141 |
