Frequently Asked Questions

What are Community and Citywide Education Councils and what do they do?

Education Councils help shape policies and priorities for New York City Public Schools (NYCPS). By law, each council has powers and duties concerning a range of matters, including working directly with district superintendents, reviewing educational programs, approving school zoning lines, and making recommendations to improve services to NYCPS students.

There are 32 Community Education Councils (CECs) and four City Councils: the Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS), the Citywide Council for District 75 (CCD75), the Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE), and the Citywide Council on English Language Learners (CCELL).

You can learn more about each of these councils and what they do on our Community and Citywide Education Councils page, as well as in our 2025 Elections Guide, which you can find below under "Resources and Documents."

Why do I need to vote?

Your vote helps elect Education Council members who will advocate for your school, your community and support education for public school students. Parents of NYC public-school students can vote through their NYC Schools Account (NYCSA). 

How do I vote?

Parents of NYC public-school students can vote through their NYC Schools Account (NYCSA). 

Can private/charter school parents vote?

No. Only parents of children attending NYC public schools are eligible to vote in these elections. 

What if I don’t have a New York City Schools Account? 

If you don’t have a NYC Schools Account (NYCSA), you can create one by following the setup guide. Then you must add your children to the account with account creation codes, which you can get from your school’s parent coordinator. 

I don’t know my parent coordinator. How can I get in touch with them?

You can find your parent coordinator by reaching out to your child’s school directly. You can also visit your school’s website, where contact information for the parent coordinator is typically listed. Additionally, you can use the NYC School Search to find contact information for staff at your school. 

Can I vote in person?

Voting is done online through your NYCSA (New York City Schools Account). If you need assistance accessing your account or using a computer to vote, your school’s parent coordinator or principal can help. You can also call 311 to find nearby public libraries with computer access. For any additional support, reach out to us at Elections2025@schools.nyc.gov

How many candidates can I vote for?

You may select up to 3 candidates per ballot. All votes must be cast at the same time, and once submitted, the ballot will be closed.

Which councils am I eligible to vote for?

The voting platform will automatically determine which councils you’re eligible to vote for, based on the school, grade level, and programs of the children linked to your NYCSA. 

• You are eligible to vote for your district’s Community Education Council (CEC) if you have a child attending Pre-K – 8th grade in a DOE school. 
• You are eligible to vote for the District75 seat on a CEC if you have a child in a D75 school or program in the CEC’s geographic district. 
• You are eligible to vote for your borough’s representative on the Citywide Council on High Schools (CCHS) if you have a child in a DOE high school in that borough.  
• You are eligible to vote for the Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE) if your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and attends a DOE school.  
• You are eligible to vote for the Citywide Council for District 75 (CCD75) if your child attends a District 75 school or program.  
• You are eligible to vote for the Citywide Council for English Language Learners (CCELL) if your child is an English Language Learner and attends a DOE school. 

Can I vote for multiple councils, or do I need to choose only one? 

You can vote in all councils for which you are eligible. 

Can both parents vote?

Yes, as long as each parent has their own NYC Schools Account with their children linked. If both parents vote on the same ballot, each selected candidate will receive 0.5 votes instead of 1.0. 

If I am a candidate, can I vote for myself?

Yes.

How do I know which candidates to vote for?

You can find information on each candidate, including their statements and parent leadership experience, if provided, in the Candidate Profiles. You can also meet the candidates by watching the recorded Candidate Forums for each Education Council you're voting in. All forum recordings are available for viewing here. 

What if I don't meet the eligibility criteria for an elected seat, but I am still interested in serving on a council?

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for a council you are interested in serving on, you may still be able to serve as an appointee. Appointees do not need to be parents, but must meet other qualifications. Visit our Borough President and Public Advocate Appointee Seats page for more information and applications.

Who is not eligible to apply or serve on an Education Council?

NYCPS employees, most elected public officials, and members of the Panel for Educational Policy cannot serve. If you fall into one of these categories, you may run for an Education Council, but must choose between continuing in your current position or serving on a council if you are elected. Under certain circumstances, other parents may be barred from serving as well. Please see Chancellor's Regulation D-140-170 for further details.