Need to Protect Student Privacy Resolution

Whereas, New York State and NYC Department of Education have agreed to share confidential student and teacher data with a Gates-funded corporation called inBloom Inc.; and

Whereas, this confidential data will include children's personally identifiable information, including name, address, grades, test scores, disciplinary records, attendance, race, ethnicity, economic status, disabilities, health conditions and other highly sensitive information; and

Whereas this information is to be stored in an electronic "data store" built by Wireless Generation, a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, which has been found to have illegally violated privacy in Great Britain and in the US; and

Whereas this information is to be placed on a data cloud managed by Amazon.com, and in a recent survey, 86% of technology professionals said they did not trust clouds to hold their organization's more sensitive data; and

Whereas inBloom Inc. has already stated that it "cannot guarantee the security of the information stored...or that the information will not be intercepted when it is being transmitted."; and

Whereas inBloom Inc. intends to make this highly confidential data available to commercial vendors to help them develop and market their "learning products"; and

Whereas: all this is happening without parental notification or consent.

Whereas: Assembly Member O'Donnell has introduced a bill, A6059, that would require parental notification and consent before any confidential, personally identifiable student data is disclosed to third party vendors;

Therefore Be It Resolved that NYS Education Department & NYC DOE should immediately be obligated to:

1. Notify parents of these impending disclosures and provide them with the right to consent before their child's information is shared;

2. Hold public hearings to explain the point of these disclosures, and hear the concerns of parents & privacy experts about how this plan risks children's privacy, security and safety;

3. Explain how families can obtain relief if their children are harmed by the improper use or accidental release of this information, including who will be held financially responsible;

4. Pledge that the privacy rights of public school children and their families will be respected over the interests of the Gates Foundation, inBloom Inc., News Corp, or any other company or organization.

Therefore Be It Further Resolved that NYS Education Department & NYC DOE remove all personal identifying information, including but not limited to name, address, OSIS number, social security number, and parent name, from data records shared with organizations outside the Department of Education, except in situations that are directly related to the individual child and where the Department of Education has secured the parent or guardian's permission, in writing, for said sharing of information.

Therefore Be It Further Resolved that we urge our state and local elected representatives to help us protect our children's privacy and to ensure that parents are provided with full notification and the right to consent before any disclosures occur.            

Passed Unanimously on April 10, 2013

Contracts for Excellence Resolution

Whereas New York City has the highest class sizes by far in New York State;

Whereas class size reduction is one of only a few education reforms proven to increase student learning, according to the Institute of Education Sciences, the research arm of the US Department of Education;

Whereas in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit, the state’s highest court said that NYC students were deprived of their constitutional right to an adequate education because of excessive class sizes;

Whereas reducing class size is the top priority of parents each year according to DOE’s Learning Environment Surveys, and 86% of NYC principals say they are unable to provide a quality education because of overly large classes;

Whereas NYS passed a law in April 2007, called the Contracts for Excellence (C4E) , which provided NYC with extra state funding in return for a promise to reduce class size in all grades;

Whereas NYC submitted a plan that was approved by NYSED in Nov. 2007, calling for annual reductions in class size with the goal of achieving class sizes no larger than 20 students on average in grades K-3, 23 students in grades 4-8, and 25 in core high school classes by the year 2011-2012;

Whereas citywide and in this school district, class sizes have risen substantially since then, instead of decreasing, and are now the largest in the early grades K-3 in 14 years;

Whereas the DOE never allocated any of the C4E funds centrally towards the goal of reducing class size;

Whereas since 2007, DOE has cut school budgets 14%, contradicting the prohibition in the C4E law against supplanting;

Whereas in 2010, DOE eliminated Early grade class size funding, despite a promise in its C4E plan;

Whereas in 2011, DOE decided to stop capping class sizes in 1st-3rd grades at 28, leading to tripling of class sizes 30 or more in these grades;

Whereas in 2012, DOE instructed principals to accommodate special needs students up to contractual class size maximum levels;

Whereas, with class sizes up to 32 in elementary and middle schools and up to 34 in high schools, such large classes do not provide the individual attention that either general education or special education students need and deserve;

Whereas DOE has never aligned either its school utilization formula or its capital plan to the goals in its  class size plan, the latter as specifically required by state law;

 Whereas instead of using available space to reduce class size in school buildings, DOE has forced co-locations instead;

Whereas the NYS Education Department has done nothing to ensure that NYC complies with its legal obligations to reduce class size;

Whereas this year, NYC DOE posted its C4E plan for the current (2012-2013) school year in February, and is holding hearings in February and March, long after most of the funding has been allocated and spent, making a mockery of the public process and feedback required by the law;

Whereas the DOE has failed to schedule borough hearings, as the law also specified;

Whereas last year’s NYC state-approved C4E plan has still not been posted or disclosed, making it unclear as to its legal status;

 

Be it resolved that SED should require the city to hold borough hearings in addition to CEC hearings, as required by law;

Be it resolved that the state should from this year on require that the DOE hold hearings much earlier, in the spring and early summer, so that public feedback can be obtained before the C4E funds are already allocated and spent;

Be it resolved that the NYS Education Department should require NYC use all available C4E funds to reduce class size;

 

Be it resolved that the NYSED should require DOE to restore its early grade class size funding program, as it promised to do in its C4E plan;

Be it resolved that at the very least, NYSED should require DOE to cap class sizes in 1st-3rd grade at 28, as was done before 2011;

Be it resolved that NYSED should forbid DOE to demand that inclusion and general education class sizes increase to the contractual maximum, in order to accommodate special needs students;.

Be it resolved that NYSED should require DOE to align its “Blue Book” formula and capital plan to the goals in its C4E class size plan, as required by state law.

Be it resolved that NYSED should forbid DOE to create any more co-locations unless class sizes are reduced to their C4E goals in the existing public schools in the building.

Be it resolved that our local and state elected officials will join with us in urging that the state hold NYC DOE responsible to comply with its legal and moral obligations to provide smaller classes for all public schoolchildren.
Passed Unanimously on March 20, 2013

Zoning Proposal
Purpose: To create a zone for PS/IS30 opening in September 2013
Schools affected: PS69, PS105, PS127, PS170, PS176, IS30 & IS259

Proposal by Portfolio 10/10/12 CEC Meeting:

 

D20RezoningPresentation_10.10.12_FINAL.pdf
979.5 KB

Proposed Middle School Rezoning Map:
D20MSRezoningMap.pdf
171.0 KB

Proposed Elementary School Rezoning Map:
D20ESRezoningMap.pdf
187.2 KB


Resolution District 20 Middle School Rezoning Proposal 2^nd REVISION 
Street Boundary Description for Impacted Schools Proposal Submitted October 10, 2012

The Office of Portfolio Management, the Community Superintendent, and the Office of Student Enrollment propose zoning changes for the current middle school zones of P.S./I.S. 30 and J.H.S 259 William Mckinley. I.S. 30, a current middle school, was approved by the Panel for Educational Policy on May 23, 2012, to expand to serve grades K-8 at scale, starting in Fall 2013. As a K-8 school, aligning the elementary and middle school zones of P.S./I.S. 30 will allow families to be zoned to the same school throughout elementary and middle school.

The following are the proposed zone boundaries for schools in District 20 experiencing middle school zoning changes as a result of this proposal. All zone lines are to be drawn along the center of vehicular or transportation rights of way, unless specifically described otherwise.

 The addresses contained in the following area would be in the new P.S./I.S. 30 zone:

 - Begin at 3^rd Avenue between Shore Road and 65^th Street, then

 - East along 66^th Street (including all street numbers) to 6^th Avenue, then

 - South on 6^th Avenue to Ovington Avenue, then

 - West on Ovington Avenue to 5^th Avenue, then

 - South on 5^th Avenue to 80^th Street, then

 - West on 80^th Street to 4^th Avenue, then

 - North on 4^th Avenue to 67^th Street, then

 - West on 67^th Street to 3^rd Avenue, then

 - North on 3^rd Avenue to between Shore Road and 65^th Street (the point of origin).

 
The addresses contained in the following area would be in the new J.H.S. 259 zone:

 - Begin at southeast corner of 64^th Street and 2^nd Avenue, then

 - East on 64^th Street (not including any street addresses) to Fort Hamilton Parkway, then

 - North on Fort Hamilton Parkway (including all street addresses from 64^th Street to 62^nd    
   Street) to 61^st Street, then

 - East on 61^st Street to 10th Avenue, then

 - South on 10^th Avenue to 70^th Street, then

 - East to 70^th Street to 11^th Avenue, then

 - South on 11^th Avenue to 73^rd Street, then

 - West on 73^rd Street to 10^th Avenue, then

 - South on 10^th Avenue to 79^th Street, then

 - West on 79^th Street to 7^th Avenue, then

 - South on 7^th Avenue to 80^th Street, then

 - West on 80^th Street to 5^th Avenue, then

 - North on 5^th Avenue to Ovington Avenue, then

 - East on Ovington Avenue, then

 - North on 6^th Avenue to between 66^th and 65^th Street, then

 - West along 66^th Street (including all street addresses) to 3^rd Avenue, then

 - South on 3^rd Avenue to 67^th Street, then

 - East on 67^th Street to 4^th Avenue, then

 - South on 4^th Avenue to 80^th Street, then

 - West on 80^th Street to Narrows Avenue to the shoreline, then

 - North along the shoreline to 64^th Street and 2^nd Avenue (the point of origin).

                                            

Submitted on this date, the 5^th day of November 2012 by:

Community Education Council District 20 Resolution passed unanimously.

Resolution District 20 Elementary Schools Rezoning Proposal 2^nd REVISION 
Street Boundary Description for Impacted Schools Proposal Submitted October 10, 2012

The Office of Portfolio Management, the community Superintendent, and the Office of Student Enrollment propose zoning changes for the current elementary school zones of P.S. 170, P.S. 69, P.S.105, P.S. 127, and P.S. 176 in order to:

a. Create an elementary school zone for P.S./I.S. 30. I.S. 30, a current middle school, was approved by the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) on May 23, 2012, to expand to serve grades K-8 at scale, starting in Fall 2013; and to

b. Leverage P.S./I.S. 30’s new elementary capacity to address growing demand and reduce waitlists and capping in other District 20 elementary schools.

The following are the proposed zone boundaries for schools in District 20 experiencing elementary school zoning changes as a result of this proposal. All zone lines are to be drawn along the center of vehicular or transportation rights of way, unless specifically described otherwise.

The addresses contained in the following area would be in the new P.S. 30 zone: 
-  Begin at 3^rd Avenue between Shore Road and 65^th Street, then
 - East along 66 Street (including all street numbers) to 6th Avenue, then
-  South on 6^th Avenue to Ovington Avenue, then
-  West on Ovington Avenue to 5^th Avenue, then
-  South on 5^th Avenue to 80^th Street, then
-  West on 80^th Street to 4^th Avenue, then 
-  North on 4^th Avenue to 67^th Street, then
-  West on 67^th Street to 3^rd Avenue, then
-  North on 3^rd Avenue to between Shore Road and 65^th Street (the point of origin). 
      

The addresses contained in the following area would be in the new P.S. 170 zone:
 - Begin at southeast corner of 65^th Street and 6^th Avenue, then 
-  East on 65^thStreet to 7^th Avenue, then
-  North on 7^th Avenue to the LIRR rail yard, then
-  East along the LIRR rail yard to 8^th Avenue, then
-  South on 8^th Avenue (including all street numbers) to 64^th Street, then
-  East on 64^th Street to 10^th Avenue, then
-  South on 10^th Avenue to 73^rd Street, then
-  West on 73^rd Street to Fort Hamilton Parkway, then
-  South on Fort Hamilton Parkway (crossing under the Gowanus Expressway) to 7^th Avenue, then
-  South on 7^th Avenue to 80^th Street, then  
-  West on 80^th Street to 5^th Avenue, then
-  North on 5^th Avenue to Ovington Avenue, then
-  East on Ovington Avenue to 6^th Avenue, then
-  North on 6^th Avenue to 65^th Street (the point of origin).
       

 The addresses contained in the following area would be in the new P.S. 69 zone:
 - Begin at southeast corner of 57^th Street and 6^th Avenue, then
- East on 57^th Street to 7^th Avenue, then
- South on 7^th Avenue to 58^th Street, then
- East on 58^th Street to 8^th Avenue, then
- South on 8^th Avenue to 60^th Street, then
- East on 60^th Street to 11^th Avenue (not including street addresses on 60^th Street between 
10^th Avenue and 11^th Avenue, then
- South on 11^th Avenue to between 61^st Street and 62^nd Street, then
- West along the rail yards to 9^th Avenue, then
- South on 9^th Avenue to 63rd Street, then
- East on 63^rd Street (including all street numbers) to 10^th Avenue, then
- South on 10th Avenue to 64^th Street, then
- West on 64^th Street to 8th Avenue, then
- North on 8^th Avenue (not including any street addresses) to just past 62^nd Street, then
- West along the rail yards to 7^th Avenue, then
- North on 7^th Avenue to 60^th Street, then
- West on 60^th Street to 6^th Avenue, then
- North on 6^th Avenue (including all street numbers between 59^th Street and 57^th Street) to 57^th
  Street (the point of origin).

The addresses contained in the following area would be in the new P.S. 105 zone:
- Begin at southeast corner of 55^th Street and 6^th Avenue, then
- East on 55^th Street to 8^th Avenue, then
- South on 8^th Avenue to 56^th Street, then
- East on 56^th Street to 11^th Avenue, then
- South on 11^th Avenue to 60^th Street, then
- West on 60^th Street (including all street numbers between 10^th and 11^th Avenue) to
   8^th Avenue, then
- North on 8^th Avenue to 58^th Street, then
- West on 58^th Street to 7^th Avenue, then
- North on 7^th Avenue to 57^th Street, then
- West on 57^th Street to 6^th Avenue, then
- North on 6^th Avenue to 55^th Street (the point of origin).

 The addresses contained in the following area would be in the new P.S. 176 zone:
- Begin at northeast corner of 67^th’Street and 12^th Avenue, then
- North on 12^th Avenue to 62^nd Street, then
- East on 62^nd Street to New Utrecht Avenue, then
- South on New Utrecht Avenue to 64^th Street, then
- East on 64^th Street to 15^th Avenue, then
- South on 15^th Avenue to Bay Ridge Avenue, then
- West on Bay Ridge Avenue (including all street numbers) to 14^th Avenue, then
- South on 14^th Avenue to Bay Ridge Parkway, then
- West on Bay Ridge Parkway to 13^th Avenue, then
- South on 13^th Avenue to 77^th Street, then
- West on 77^th Street to 12^th Avenue, then
- North on 12^th Avenue to 73^rd Street, then
- West on 73^rd Street to 10^th Avenue, then
- North on 10^th Avenue to 67^th Street, then
- East on 67^th Street (not including any street addresses) to 12^th Avenue (the point of origin).

The addresses contained in the following area would be in the new P.S. 127 zone:
- Begin at southeast corner of 80^th Street and 4^th Avenue, then
- East on 80^th Street to 7^th Avenue, then
- North on 7^th Avenue to Fort Hamilton Parkway, then
- East and northeast on Fort Hamilton Parkway to 73^rd Street, then
- East on 73^rd Street to 12th Avenue, then
- South on 12^th Avenue to 86^th Street, then
- West on 86th Street to Gatling Place, then
- North on Gatling Place to 84^th Street, then
- West on 84^th Street to 4^th Avenue, then
- North on 4^th Avenue to 80^th Street (the point of origin).

 Submitted on this date, the 5^th day of November 2012 by:

 Community Education Council District 20 Resolution passed unanimously.

Support of Proposed Change to NYS Education Law and Chancellor’s Regulations Regarding Eligibility of Parents of former English Language Learners (ELLs)  to serve on the Citywide and District Education Councils

Whereas, NYS Education Law (the law) 2590-B, 5. (a) (i) – (iii) established the Citywide Council on English Language Learners (CCELL), to be composed of nine voting members who shall be parents of students who are in a bilingual or English as a second language program to be eligible to serve; and

Whereas, NYS Education Law 2590-b6(a)(iii), the section on the Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS); and  2590-c8.(c), the section on the 32 education council districts (CDECs) 2590-b6(a)(iii), both require one voting  member who shall be a parent of a student in a bilingual or English as a second language program to be eligible to serve on a citywide or district education council; and

 
Whereas,  the law also indicates that a parent of a child who is no longer an ELL does not meet the eligibility criteria and is no longer eligible to serve on a citywide or district education council; and

Whereas, by virtue of the parent population’s assumed limited English proficiency and limited understanding and knowledge of options available for parent participation, experience has shown that  the pool of eligible parents is limited; and 
Whereas, Power to the Parents Community and Citywide Education Councils 2011-2013 Election Results show that, out of 32 districts, parents of ELLs were only selected for Districts 4, 10, 17, 20 and 30; and

Whereas, according to a recent informal survey of district and citywide education councils only ten councils have seated a parent of an ELL student; and

Whereas, absent a change in State law, the Department of Education is unable to amend Chancellor’s Regulations to allow parents of former ELLs to run for seats on citywide or education councils; and now therefore be it

Resolved, that the Community Education Council District 20 fully supports a change in state law that will allow parents of ELLs and former ELLs to run for a seat on citywide and district education councils; and be it further

Resolved,  that the change in the law be accomplished in time to allow parents of ELLs and former ELLs to be eligible for the citywide and district education council elections scheduled for Spring of 2013; and be it further

Resolved, that only a small change in the law is sought, allowing parents of former ELLs to run for and serve on the citywide and district education councils.  

References: 

1. NYS Education Law 2590-B
2. Power to the Parents District Education and Citywide Councils 2011-2013 Election Results   

Passed Unanimously on October 10, 2012


In Support of Parents Boycott of Stand-Alone Field Tests
WHEREAS, our children have just spent six days in April taking New York State standardized tests in English and Math, which was nearly double the time compared to last year, and  

Whereas, this April’s exams included up to 30% field test questions, which were embedded to try out for future tests and do not count in children's scores; however, they make the tests substantially longer, so that most children spent up to nine hours testing and children with IEPs up to eighteen hours testing over the six day period, and

 

Whereas, Pearson Publishing and NYSED have not asked parents' permission to utilize our children as research subjects for Pearson’s financial benefit as a for-profit company, and

 

Wheareas, eighth grade students will be preparing for Regents exams in June and will be losing valuable instructional time to stand-alone field tests.

  

Therefore, be it resolved, that Community Education Council District 20 finds it unacceptable that even more valuable classroom time be allocated to the administering of test questions and

Further resolved, that Community Education Council District 20 supports the parents' boycott of the field tests, as there are no negative consequences for our schools or our children if they do not take these stand-alone tests.

                                   

                       

Passed Unanimously on May 23, 2012

 

 

           High Stakes, Standardized Testing of New York State Public School Students

WHEREAS, our nation's future well-being relies on a high-quality public education
system that prepares all students for college, careers, citizenship and lifelong learning,
and strengthens the nation's social and economic well-being; and

WHEREAS, our nation's school systems have been spending growing amounts of time,

         money and energy on high-stakes standardized testing, in which student performance on
standardized tests is used to   make major decisions affecting individual students,
educators and schools; and

WHEREAS, the over-reliance on high-stakes standardized testing in state and federal

         accountability systems is undermining educational quality and equity in U.S. public

         schools by hampering educators' efforts to focus on the broad range of learning      
experiences that promote the innovation, creativity, problem solving, collaboration,

         communication, critical thinking and deep subject-matter knowledge that will allow

         students to thrive in a democracy and an increasingly global society and economy; and

WHEREAS, it is widely recognized that standardized testing is an inadequate and

         often unreliable measure of both student learning and educator effectiveness; and

WHEREAS, the over-emphasis on standardized testing has caused considerable

         collateral damage in too many schools, including narrowing the curriculum, teaching      
to  the test, reducing love of learning, pushing students out of school, driving excellent

         teachers out of the profession, and undermining school climate; and

WHEREAS, high-stakes standardized testing has negative effects for students from all

         backgrounds, and especially for low-income students, English language learners,
children of color, and those with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the culture and structure of the systems in which students learn must
change in order to foster engaging school experiences that promote joy in learning,
depth of thought and breadth of knowledge for students; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that Community Education Council District 20 calls on Governor Cuomo, the

         State legislature, Board of Regents, and the State Education Commissioner to
reexamine public school accountability systems in this state, and to develop a system
based on multiple forms of assessment which does not require extensive
standardized testing, more accurately reflects the broad range of student learning,
and is used to support students and improve schools; and

RESOLVED, that that Community Education Council District 20 urges the Governor and

         the State Legislature to approve legislation giving parents the right to opt their
children out of standardized testing, a right that parents have in many other states;

RESOLVED, that the Governor and the State Legislature approve legislation giving the public the right to examine the state standardized exams after they are given, as existed in NY state before this year and is still required by the “Truth in Testing” law that pertains to other standardized exams, such as the SATs; 

RESOLVED, that Community Education Council District 20 calls on the U.S. Congress and Administration to overhaul the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, currently known as the "No Child Left Behind Act," reduce the testing mandates, promote multiple forms of evidence of student learning and school quality in accountability, and not mandate any fixed role for the use of student test scores in evaluating educators.

Passed Unanimously on May 9, 2012

 

 

Amend School Governance Law To Allow Community District Education Councils Authority Over School Closings and Co-locations

Whereas , in a recent Quinnipiac poll, almost 60 percent of New Yorkers believe that that the mayor’s takeover of our schools has been a failure;   
Whereas, more than four times as many New Yorkers believe that in the future, the mayor should share power with an independent body than retain complete control over our schools.  (66% compared to 13%);  
Whereas,  public schools are the lifeblood of our communities, yet  Mayoral Control, as currently structured, has no checks and balances, but allows one person to determine the fate and future of every school and student in this City, irrespective of the views and input of all other stakeholders, including parents, students, teachers, and community members; 
Whereas, despite damaging effects on NYC students and overwhelming community opposition, the mayor has used his unilateral power to close over 100 public schools and proposes to close more than fifty additional schools this year.  
Whereas, the mayor has also pushed through many divisive co-locations which have created worse overcrowding and thereby severely undermined the quality of education our public school students receive, creating "separate and unequal" environments within their own schools and buildings. 
Whereas, Community District Education Councils are elected bodies of parents that, according to state law, have the authority to approve or disapprove alterations in school attendance lines.   
Whereas, since school closings and co-locations can radically affect enrollment, it is only logical that these bodies should have the authority to approve or disapprove school closings and/or co-locations.   
Be it resolved, that the Legislature should amend the school governance laws so that all proposals to close, phase, truncate or co-locate NYC public schools must be approved by the district Community Education Council in which the school resides.   
Be it resolved, that before taking a vote, the CEC shall solicit advice from the affected School Leadership Team(s), the district Presidents Council, the Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council, and the Citywide Council on Special Education and other community organizations.  In the case of high schools, the district CEC shall also consider the advice of the Citywide Council on High Schools, in addition to the organizations listed above.  
Be it further resolved, that by these means, NYC public school parents and community members shall have a voice again as to the fate of our children’s public schools.  
Passed Unanimously on March 21, 2012

Contracts for Excellence Resolution
Whereas, in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case Judge Leland deGrasse concluded that NYC students were deprived of their constitutional right to an adequate education as a result of large class sizes;

Whereas, the Contracts for Excellence law passed in 2007 required NYC to reduce class size in all grades in return for receiving billions of dollars in additional state aid;

Whereas, smaller classes has been the top priority of parents on the DOE Learning Environment survey every year it has been given, and 86% of NYC principals say they are unable to provide a quality education because of excessive class size;

Whereas, in 2007, the DOE submitted a class size reduction plan calling for average class sizes of no more 20 in grades K-3; 23 in 4-8th and 25 in HS;

Whereas, DOE has received more than a billion dollars in total C4E funds since 2007; but class sizes have risen sharply in all grades since then:

Whereas,  this year, the final year of the city's 5-yr mandated reduction plan, class sizes are expected to be the largest in eleven years in the early grades;

Whereas, the state and the city scheduled C4E presentations this year after the funds had already been allocated, contrary to the intent of the law;

Whereas, there was a pre-approval process, in which DOE submitted its plan to the state education department before any public input had occurred, also contrary to the intent o f the law;

Whereas, the city has refused to hold borough hearings, as required by law, instead providing only brief and inadequate power point presentations before CECs, with insufficient public notice;

Whereas, the city and the state have a moral and legal obligation to provide the smaller classes that the state's highest court said was necessary for NYC children to receive their right to a sound basic education;

Be it resolved, that Community Education Council District 20 raises its voice in objection to the failure of the NYC DOE to comply with the Contracts for Excellence law, either in terms of the required public process or the results in class size; and

Be it resolved, that the City Council should hold annual hearings to review the NYC DOE's compliance with the Contracts for Excellence law and

Be it resolved, that the NY State Education Department should immediately require that DOE use all available funds to hire more teachers and reduce class sizes from now on, including the $504 million in C4E funds provided this year.

Submitted on this date, the 9th day of November 2011 by:

Community Education Council District 20 Resolution passed unanimously.

District 20 Middle School Rezoning Proposal Street Boundary Description for Impacted Schools Proposal Submitted May 12, 2010

The following are the proposed zone boundaries for schools in District 20 experiencing middle school zoning changes as a result of this proposal. All zone lines are to be drawn along the center of vehicular or transportation rights of way, unless specifically described otherwise.

1. The proposed zone for JHS 220

The area beginning at the intersection of 1^st Avenue and 53^rd Street, proceeding East on 53^rd  Street to 6^th Avenue, then:

- North on 6^th Avenue, West on 47^th Street

- North on 5^th Avenue, East on 44^th Street

- South on 7^th Avenue, East on 47^th Street

- North on 9^th Avenue, East on 44^th Street

- South on Fort Hamilton Parkway, East on 47^th Street

- South on 12^th Avenue, East on 48^th Street

- South on 13^th Avenue, West on 49^th Street

- South on 12^th Avenue, West on 50^th Street

- South on 11^th Avenue, West on 54^th Street (both sides of street – even and odd residences)

- South on 8^th Avenue, West on 59^th Street

- North on 1^st Avenue, proceeding to 53^rd Street (point of origin),

 

will be the zone for JHS 220, located at 4812 9^th Avenue.

 2. The proposed zone for JHS 223

The area beginning at the intersection of 8^th Avenue and 55^th Street, proceeding East on 55^th Street (both sides of street – even and odd residences), then:

 - North on 11^th Avenue, East on 50^th Street

- North on 12^th Avenue, East on 49^th Street

- South on 13^th Avenue, West 56^th Street

- South on 12^th Avenue, West on 59^th Street

- North on 8^th Avenue, proceeding to 55^th Street (point of origin);

 

will be zoned to JHS 223, located at 4200 16^th Avenue.

 

Also, the area beginning at the intersection of 9^th Avenue and 47^th Street, proceeding West on 47^th Street then:

- North on 7^th Avenue, East on 41^st  Street

- North on 8^th  Avenue, East on 38^th Street - Northeast on Fort Hamilton Parkway

- South on East 3^rd Street, East on 18^th Avenue

- South on Ocean Parkway, East along the LIRR Bay Ridge Line

- North on East 3^rd Street, East on Foster Avenue

- North on Seton Place, Continuing North on East 2^nd Street (both sides of street)

- North on McDonald Avenue, West on Ditmas Avenue

- North on Dahill Road, Southwest on 16^th Avenue

- West on 46^th Street, South on 15^th Avenue

- West on 48^th Street (both sides of street), North on 12^th Avenue

- West on 47^th Street, North on Fort Hamilton Parkway

- West on 44^th Street, South on 9^th Avenue to 47^th Street (point of origin)

 

will be zoned to JHS 223, located at 4200 16th Avenue.  

Also, the area beginning at the intersection of 20^th Avenue and 54^th Street, proceeding West on 54^th Street then:

- North on 18^th Avenue, East on 52^nd Street

- South on 20^th Avenue, to 54^th Street (point of origin)

 

will be zoned to JHS 223, located at 4200 16^th Avenue.

 3. The proposed zone for JHS 259

The area beginning at the intersection of 4th Avenue and 80th Street proceeding West on 80th Street, then:  

- North on Belt Parkway (both sides of street), East on 72nd Street

- South on 4th Avenue (both sides of street), East on 73rd Street

 - North on 6th Avenue (both sides of street), West on 68th Street (both sides of street)

- North on 5th Avenue (both sides of street), West on Bay Ridge Avenue

- North on Belt Parkway (both sides of street), West on 64th Street

 - North on Fort Hamilton Parkway (both sides of street) to East on 60th Street - South on 10th Avenue, East on 70th Street

- South on 11th Avenue, West on 73rd Street

- South on 10th Avenue, West on 79th Street

 - South on 7th Avenue, West on 80th Street to 4th Avenue (point of origin)

 will be zoned to JHS 259, located at 7301 Fort Hamilton Parkway.

 4. The proposed zone for JHS 201

The area beginning at the intersection of 3^rd Avenue and 92^nd Street proceeding West on 92^nd Street, then:

- North on Belt Parkway (both sides of street), East on 80^th Street

- North on 7^th Avenue, East on 79^th Street

- North on 10^th Avenue, East on 73^rd Street

- North on 11^th Avenue, East on 70^th Street

- South on 14^th Avenue, East on 75^th Street

- South on 15^th Avenue, East on 80^th Street - South on 18^th Avenue, West on 86^th Street

- North on 7^th Avenue, West on 84^th Street

 - South on 4^th Avenue, West on 89^th Street

- South on 3^rd Avenue, West on 92^nd Street (point of origin)  

will be zoned to JHS 201, located at 8010 12^th Avenue

 5. The proposed middle school zone for PS/IS 229

 (identical to the existing ES zone):

The area beginning at the intersection of 14^th Avenue and 86^th Street proceeding East on 86^th Street, then:

- South on Bay 13 Street, West on Benson Avenue

- South on 16^th Avenue, East on Cropsey Avenue

 - South on Bay 13 Street, West on Belt Parkway (both sides of street)

 - North on Bay 8 Street, West on Cropsey Avenue - North on 14^th Avenue to 86^th Street (point of origin)  

 

will be the middle school zone for PS/IS 229, located at 1400 Benson Avenue   

 

6. The proposed middle school zone for PS/IS 163

(identical to the existing ES zone):

The area beginning at the intersection of Bay 13 Street and 86^th Street, proceeding East on 86^th Street, then:

 - South on 19^th Avenue, West on Benson Avenue

 - South on Bay 19 Street, East on Cropsey Avenue

- South on Bay 20 Street, West on Belt Parkway (both sides of street)

- North on Bay 13 Street, West on Cropsey Avenue

- North on 16 Avenue, East on Benson Avenue

- North on Bay 13 Street to 86^th Street (point of origin)  

Will be the middle school zone for PS/IS 163 located at 1664 Benson Avenue

 Submitted on this date, the 9^th day of June 2010 by:

Community Education Council District 20 Resolution passed unanimously.

RESOLUTION TO REVISE CHANCELLOR’S REGULATIONS A-812

Whereas, the Community Education Council District 20 of Brooklyn, NY on behalf of the elementary and junior high schools object to the updated revision to Chancellor’s Regulations A—8 12 dated June 29. 2009. The regulation had been updated with new provisions to limit sales of snack items by PA/PTA fundraising. 

Whereas, the ban comes at a tough time for schools who are dealing with severe budget cuts to fund after-school programs and supplies. Snack and Bake Sales ha\’e proven to be highly profitable for PA/PTA’s, as the start-up costs are minimal. These revenues provide programs, activities, and supplies to students where the Department of Education cannot provide, due to these budget constraints.

Whereas, snack sales and bake sales help build a community. Parents are involved in the selling and preparing of the items, students learn how to manage money and work together with fellow students.

Whereas, that banning snack sales is not an effective solution to the problem of obesity. There are better ways to improve student health at school including more physical activity/gym time, making more, fresh, healthy foods available in the cafeteria, and teaching nutrition in schools. 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chancellor must review and revise regulation A-812 dated June 29, 2009 to permit PA/PTA’s snack sales and to hold bake sales without time restrictions, during lunch. PA/PTAs will continue to assure that students are only served snacks when they have finished their lunch.

Submitted on this date. the 18 th day of November 2009 by:

Community Education Council District 20

and the following District 20 Schools:

IS30,PS48,IS62,PS69,PS102,PS/IS104, PS105, PS112, PS127,

PS160, PS163,PS164, PS170, PS176, PS179, PS/IS180, PS185,

PS186, IS187, PS/IS192, PS200, IS201, PS204, PS205, IS220,

IS223, IS227, PS/IS229, PS247, IS259, PS503, PS506, PS682

Voted on and approved on November 18, 2009 

Resolution Opposing the Installation of Cellular Phone Towers, Antennae or Related Devices Near Schools

Whereas, we, the Community Education Council, have been chosen to be advocates of the parents and children of District 20 schools;

Whereas, the parents of District 20 have made it clearly known to us they oppose the installation of cellular phone towers, antennae or other related devices in close approximation of schools;

Whereas, the long term health effects of cellular phone towers, antennae or other related devices, has yet to be determined; Whereas, a standardized, uniform policy for health and safety protection is not in place as of yet;

Now therefore Be It Resolved that the Community Education Council of District 20, on behalf of the parents and children of District 20, hereby requests the city administration and city council to revise its regulations by restricting cellular phone towers, antennae or other related devices to be installed within 500 feet of a school.

Voted And Approved February 13, 2008

Resolution Opposing Budgets Cuts Mid-Year

Whereas, we, the Community Education Council, have been chosen to be advocates of the parents and children of District 20 schools;

Whereas, budgets for each school have been established and funds have been earmarked for the education and betterment of our children through specific programs by their respective School Leadership Teams;

Whereas, we, the Community Education Council of District 20, understands the need for city wide budget cuts;

Now therefore be it Resolved; that the Community Education Council of District 20, on behalf of the parents and children of District 20, hereby requests the city administration and Department of Education to revise and amend its policy of mid-year budget cuts.

Voted and Approved February 13, 2008

 

Resolution Demanding that the Mayor, the Governor and the State Legislature Keep Their Promises To Our Children

Whereas, the Governor and the State Legislature promised a $528 million increase to New York State’s basic operating aid called “foundation aid”) for 2008-09, but the proposed to New York City  (also Executive Budget cuts this amount to $335 million; and 

Whereas, the Mayor committed to raise New York City’s investment in our children’s education by $2.2 billion over four years, but is taking back $180 million this year with $100 million coming right out of the classrooms and cutting an additional $324 million next year, for a two year total of more than one-half billion dollars; and

Whereas, New York State committed to increase building funds for New York City by $11.2 billion to allow the City to complete its $13.1 billion capital plan to construct and repair schools, but now this promise is threatened by proposed reforms that would delay the state reimbursement to the City for school construction costs; and 

Whereas, the State Legislature, the Governor, the City Council and the Mayor must Keep the Promises to our school children;  

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, we demand that the Governor and State Legislature KEEP THE PROMISE and restore the missing $193 million in foundation aid.  These funds are supposed to be tied to the Contract for Excellence which is the only real accountability mechanism we have to ensure that funds go to reduce class size, reform middle schools and high schools, provide for the needs of English Language Learners and achieve other fundamental school reforms; and   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, we demand that the Mayor and the City Council KEEP THE PROMISE by restoring the half billion dollars in cuts for this year and next; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, we demand that the Governor and State Legislature KEEP THE PROMISE to increase building funds by $11.2 billion to allow the City to construct and repair school buildings at a pace that will matter for our students in the future.

Voted and Approved March 11, 2008