End Mayoral Control of Schools, Says New Montgomery Bill

A new bill introduced by State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery, D-New York, aims to end mayoral control of the city’s public school system with the creation of an independent NYC Board of Education.

This new Board would have the authority to appoint the NYC Schools Chancellor and have control over educational policy. 

“Mayoral control does not work,” said Sen. Montgomery, in a statement. “Control of our schools must be put back in the hands of educational professionals who have a deep understanding of our children’s needs—and the skills to produce positive educational outcomes.”

The Board of Education would continue to have 13 members, and each Boro President would continue to appoint one member each, with a child in the NYC public school system. The City Council would appoint four members: one a representative of a college or university, one a member of a parent’s organization, one a member of a parent’s Educational Council, and one member to be appointed at large. The Mayor would appoint four members, each a resident of New York City, with at least one appointee having a child in the NYC public school system.

According to Sen. Montgomery, by removing mayoral control over the selection of the chancellor, “there will be checks and balances and a chance for public review of decisions made by the Board to ensure transparency and accountability.”

“We need parents involved in their children’s education. We need schools that are focused not solely on test results, but on providing the best education. We need a Board of Education focused on an environment supportive of the achievement of all our children. This bill will provide for all these things,” said Sen. Montgomery, in a statement.