For the presentation. I also wanna thank members of the public for your patience as, uh, we were waiting for, um, to arrive at that magic number and, and achieve a, a quorum at the panel, which we now have. So, uh, that means that I can now officially call the meeting to order and welcome you all to the, um, May 28th meeting of the Panel for Education Policy. Um, I also would like to make note of the fact that we are here in Staten Island and, uh, that you can applaud for Staten Island. And, uh, let me also, uh,
introduce some of their leadership. We have this superintendent of, uh, schools here, Staten Island, Patrick Paulton. I don't know if he's in the audience. Thank you. Thank you, superintendent. And the principal Anthony, uh, tab, I hope I'm pronouncing your name right, is Anthony, would you stand up? You, you are. You, you treat us so well. When we come here, we're gonna keep coming back. So, uh, you know, we always enjoy it. So I want to thank you for, uh, you know, um, hosting us and also thank the district for hosting us as well. Um, at this point, uh, we will proceed with the calling
of the role and, uh, then we'll get into the business of the meeting. Thank You, chair. Uh, when I call your name, is this working? Yes. Um, please say your, that you're present. Um, Marielle Ali. Adriana. Alisa, uh, Phoebe, Sade Arnold. Shirley bin. Absent. Aaron Boad. Camille Retti. Listen, Marjorie Dean Stag. Dr. Miriam Ick Ellis. She's here.
We need people on the stage. She Was here. Um, Amy Fair. Anita Garcia, Anthony Giardano. Dr. Angela Green, present. Navid Hassan. Alice Ho, present. Rema Ido. Dr. Darling Meme. Dr. Sharon Owin. Present. Alan Ong. Present. Maisha. Sap Maisha. SAP Present. Thomas Shepherd. Present. Venus Ang. Manny Ra and Chair. Gregory Faulkner. Present.
We need some more people on the stage. Get a quorum. Um, how many more people do you need? We need three more people on the stage. I'm going to get them. Yes, please get them. Yeah, they are. Well, we just had TV Count. No. Okay. So we need two More. Okay. Okay, great. I know we have two more. Yeah, I guess I was a little overenthusiastic. I thought that we actually, uh, did my count. I thought we actually had a quorum on the stage. So, uh, but we, um, we do know that Quorum is in the building and we are sending out folks to get them to the, uh, stage.
So I don't know, should we return to some of that wonderful eighties music? That's, that's my generation's music. So it's wonderful when music was music, you know, uh, you know, don't laugh. Don't laugh. Yeah. Yeah. Can of worms right here. And we Oh, I'll keep going though. We are joined by some student panel members. Dalia Diaz Chan present, and Cassandra, uh, oh. Cinci Cinci President. Great. And we are represented, um, comp Controller is being represented by Lara Lai, present and Chancellor Avila Ramos. And we have been joined by, um, Phoebe Shaday Arnold.
Yeah, thanks. While we're, wait, you know, I'm, I'm actually gonna take this time to, uh, to give a shout out to the Office of Related Services. I'm probably gonna do it again during the meeting, but I, are they here? I'm gonna call them, uh, by name. I, yes, you, there you are. Um, but I'm gonna call you by name and, uh, Shona Gibson. Suzanne Sanchez. Andy Ro Roso Corso Corso. Um, Joanna Charles Ilia Peele. Um, I want to give a real thank you. I mean, we had a briefing and, uh, we, we had the opportunity to, to learn about some of the great work that you're, um, officers doing.
Um, and so I just wanted to let you know that we recognize it, that the work that you're doing hasn't gone unnoticed. And we want to thank you for your, you know, your continued work and support. And I'm gonna do this again, so it gets read into the record officially when we actually conven the, the meeting. But I just wanted to acknowledge your work and the things that you're doing. I think it's always important for us to take this time to, uh, recognize when people are doing, um, tremendous work on behalf of our students. And it's important that we recognize that. So I want you to know that we thank you as a, as a group, and it was a really, um, very insightful briefing.
I got a chance to, uh, be there for the majority of it, and I thought it was very useful, the information that you provided to us. So, thank you. Thank you. And did you want to please Yeah, for those in the public, just so you know, that, um, when, when there are items that we're voting on at the panel, um, we do have an opportunity to get a briefing on that topic. And sometime there may be topics that we're really not, um, as, as well versed in, but then the, uh, department sets up a briefing and gives us an opportunity to learn more about that particular topic. Um, we spend hours and hours
and hours in briefing so that we're able to come to the stage and actually vote on some of the items that are being presented. So I guess I should also thank the panel because members of the panel also devote considerable time to, in addition to their professional lives, they devote considerable time to attending briefings and meetings and, um, and in, and in fact, we have one panel member panel or Shepherd who actually gets out in the field all the time. I'm, you are always somewhere, um, you know, uh, looking at buildings or in one case, uh, inspecting buses and looking under the hood. But what, I don't know what you were looking for, but, you know, I understand that.
I, yeah, I was hot. That somebody, I understand that you do that. So, so although you see the panel up here, um, there's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes, um, to really get to the point that we are able to come here and cast a vote. So, um, so I want to thank members of the panel as well. We don't always agree. I share eye to eye, but we always, I think, universally acknowledge that we all work very hard. We don't always arrive at the same conclusions, but we all know that we work. And our goal is to make sure that we produce the best results for the students in the city of New York. So, um, have
We, I'm gonna call some additional names. Sure. We've been, been joined by, um, Marielle Ali present, um, Marjorie Dean Stag, Dr. Miriam EK Ellis and Navid Hassan present. Um, I think I've gotten everyone, is there anyone here who I has not indicated that they're present? 2, 5, 6. We have 15 members here. Um, so we have a quorum. And we have A quorum. That's good. Yes. Thank you. Um, and our, which means we can do business, and our first order of business is to hear from our chancellor.
Uh, chancellor, welcome. And we're happy to have you, as always, uh, uh, uh, be on stage with us and sit and, uh, make a presentation. So I turn the floor over to you now, chancellor. Good evening, everyone. Thank you so much for welcoming us here in the great borough of Staten Island. It's great to be here with you all, and I wanna thank our superintendent and principals for always hosting us. Um, so graciously, uh, we have a lot to celebrate. This past month, we celebrated a API Heritage Month, as well as Jewish American Heritage Month, Haitian American Heritage Month, and of course, Dominican
and Haitian Mother's Day. This past Sunday, uh, also Memorial Day and very near and dear, uh, to me is Mental Health Awareness Month. Um, and so I just opened by thanking Chair Faulkner, vice Chair, Dr. Green, and all of the pep members for being with us and for always showing up, um, to our, our many celebrations. Um, I, I see you, I see you out there. Uh, you always join us. Um, and so I just wanna thank you, um, for your participation, not only, uh, on the panel, on the stage, but behind the scenes and in of all things New York City public schools.
Um, I also want to start by acknowledging, um, a horrible, um, incident that occurred earlier this month when one of our 16-year-old students was killed in an act of senseless violence. Um, obviously, uh, every time a child loses their life, um, to anything, uh, but especially to violence, our heart's ache for the families. And so, um, this underscores the urgency of our work, the importance of partnering with the full community on safety. I was honored to meet with the community last week
to discuss solutions and next steps to keep our kids safe. Um, and so I wanna thank the pep members who joined us there, panel Member Shepherd. Thank you so much, Pam, panel member reschedule. Thank you so much. Um, and more to come on on this soon. On the topic of safety, I also wanna acknowledge some devastating news from this weekend. We are aware that a student of one of our schools was detained by ICE during federal immigration proceedings. We are offering supports to the school community, and we will continue to speak out and advocate for the safety, dignity, and rights of all of our students.
Our commitment to supporting every child and family, regardless of immigration status has not changed. Our schools remain safe, and we encourage families to continue to send their children to school. And, uh, I of course, always wanna thank the panel, but especially Penem, Navid, Hassan, um, for, for, um, always working so closely with us on these matters, um, and being such an advocate, um, in, in the larger community. So thank you for that. I also wanna share some updates on our budget. We had our executive budget hearing last week. This budget contains critical investments in early childhood
education, class size, the arts, and more. We now have a state budget, uh, is $314 million less in Foundation aid than we would've received without the governor's changes. And the state also changed the law around smart devices. That means cell phones during the school day. And we are in the process of reviewing next steps and better understanding the requirements, including engaging with our PEP members. Later this week. We are starting our agenda tonight with a long overdue and vital amendment to strengthen Chancellor's Regulation,
a eight 20, adding additional safeguards, restrictive protections, and clarifying information to ensure we're protecting student data. This comes after months of conversations and recommendations by the Data Privacy Working Group to strengthen a 15-year-old regulation. And I wanna be clear, this work doesn't end here. If approved tonight, we will move the working group into subcommittees that will focus on engaging parents, working with students, educating schools on appropriately handling student information and adapting to emerging technologies.
Lastly, I know the panel met with Dial and the Office of Special Education and Related Services last week, and I'm very proud of these offices for their work. And I wanna thank Chair Faulkner for acknowledging that at the opening of this meeting, I wanna acknowledge and applaud our team's progress to ensure related services are being provided to students. In 20 20 12, New York City Public Schools was at approximately 78% compliance. And by 2024, we had improved to 94.6%. This is impressive work, but clearly we still have more to do. We cannot rest until we are
consistently at a hundred percent. And I know DC Foe's team will continue to work super hard, and I wanna give a special thanks to her and her team for, um, everything that they've done. And in the spirit of that, thank you for your partnership and looking forward to hearing all from you through this meeting. And just, uh, very briefly, I do wanna say that unfortunately, I do have to excuse myself a little bit sooner than I'd like to. Um, but here, and happy to always follow up with the panel, uh, even outside of this space. Thank you. Thank, thank you very much, uh, chancellor, it's always great to engage with you. And, um, I particularly appreciate your comments
with related to the, uh, uh, young student who is being detained, and that this is, I can't think of a more difficult situation or worse nightmare than to have that, um, happen. So I'm, uh, very much appreciative of your words and your comments in that regard. Um, at this point, the next item of the agenda is to hear from our student panel members. I always enjoy this portion of the meeting, hearing from our hearing from our students. Um, I will, I guess the senior member of the group that's on stage now is panel member Dalia Diaz Chan. So I'll call on you first, and then I'll introduce your, your colleague also.
So, welcome. And the floor is yours. Thank you. Hello everybody. Good afternoon to all. I want to start off by sharing my contentment upon learning of the full extent of what the proposed updates on the Chancellor regulations a eight 20 entails. By giving this relat, um, by giving this regulation on data privacy of refresh and keeping it up to code, it protects student data privacy all the more effectively. In this day and age, anybody can be found anywhere online, including students. We may tend to put ourselves out there with Insta Accounts
or Snapchats, but there are times where we don't. And when sensitive data is shared unknowingly through breaches or by third parties for internal marketing purposes, there are now guidelines in place within the Chancellor's regulations to provide insights on how to address these instances. There are further additions to the regulations that go towards the compliance of state and federal laws surrounding data security with the most accessible data found within school distribution, being directory information, which concerns surface level information, such as a student's name, age, honors, and clubs.
This information has different guidelines on how it can be distributed within schools, and toward third parties. With the latter requiring approval from N-Y-C-P-S, chief Privacy Officer, all to say these updated regulations are a vast improvement from our current official regulations on data privacy. From my perspective, communities can benefit from educating parents and students on the differences between what data is and is not released. As well as being transparent about things like consent forms, which can be especially daunting to parents
and students unfamiliar with n Nycp s's current and newer data privacy guidelines. I also wanted to touch upon the Fair Student funding formula, which was passed in between last and this month's meeting. I wanted to discuss the weight for students in temporary housing, which is new as of the last reworking of the weights a couple years ago, and has been proven to be a valued addition to the formula. This is a great advancement toward equitable funding for schools in the DOE. It falls on the schools to be able to provide necessities for students in temporary housing from detergent to clothing.
And with the implementation of this weight, it makes the provisions of these necessities simpler for school leadership, especially amidst a federal climate where we're not sure where budget allocations are going to go for students in temporary housing. At my very own school, a dual language school, there wasn't SLT meeting where I learned that 40% of our students are in temporary housing. And this budget change has made a real impact in improving our school's financial situation and freeing up room for funding and recreational student activities, such as fun trips
and even our very own school store. And lastly, pivoting to the agenda, I would like to address item one. Thanks to the contract item, New York City can reach the needs of students who require unique services, even beyond public schools. It's rare to see this sort of extension of resources beyond city government. Charters and public institutions have a competitive system based on student enrollment demands, and it is really heartening to know that there is accessibility for all, and it goes beyond that. I am proud to know that the Panel
for Educational Policy can provide services like sign language interpretation, rare speech therapy supports, and paraprofessional services to all students in New York City. This agenda item helps us reach that 100%, as mentioned earlier, by the Chancellor, where no student goes without the support that they may require to be able to learn. Thank you. Thank you very much, panel member for that, uh, well thought out and, uh, testimony. Um, I appreciate it. Um, our next student panel member is Cassandra Chen. This is actually your first meeting where you'll be making a presentation.
So welcome to the Panel for Education Policy, and the floor is yours. Sorry, I'm just testing this. Is this okay? Uh, good evening everyone. My name is Cassandra Cinci. I'm a member of the student Pep Squad, and you can usually find me in the audience supporting my peers from the Chancellor Student Advisory Council, Dalia and Isaiah from behind the scenes. But today, I'm here on the stage. As a student, my experiences have shaped what I'm passionate about as an advocate. I've attended schools that reflected a wide range of values and demographics, schools where students looked like me, and schools where they didn't, schools where students spoke multiple languages in their classrooms
and schools where they couldn't. Schools that treated students more like numbers and schools that viewed students as individuals, schools that made space for students cultural histories, and schools that pushed us to learn far beyond the curriculum. These experiences have shaped how I understand the purpose of education. Schools become places that empower young people to reach their full potential when they're intentional about equity and student voice. When they protect all students regardless of citizenship status. And when they co-create policy with youth, a student zip code or the performance on a single standardized test should not determine the equality of education they received. Serving on this panel has shown me
how we can reimagine our education system to create opportunities for all students. I want to use what's left of my time to touch on two areas of state legislation being worked into school policy to provide a student perspective to pep members will have a leadership role in level of policy creation after receiving the class size reduction plan for the 2025 to 2026 school year, I'm curious about how the DOE plans to implement the class size mandate, especially in large schools. My school has already made so many adjustments, like splitting classrooms in half, reducing the number of students in freshman classes. Many of our classrooms can't physically accommodate 28 or fewer students without sacrificing other vital spaces
like science labs or art rooms. I appreciate the exceptions to being considered for specialized classes or schools unable to comply, but I think more transparency is needed. I'd also love to hear more about the grant process mentioned than the draft plan. Will funding be distributed consistently? What's the rubric for determining which schools receive support and which don't? Right now, the vague nature of the class size policy makes it difficult for schools to plan ahead. And as a student, I've seen how last minute changes can lead to stress, lost instructional time, and disorganized transitions that hurt our learning. Pivoting to the upcoming cell phone policy, I've seen how firsthand how phone use can disrupt learning and increase anxiety.
I support the spirit of the cell phone legislation, but if the goal is to shift student behavior, we need to start by engaging students. I ask what districtwide resources will be provided to schools to help, uh, this plan roll out, be rolled out effectively. Could the, I ask if the DOE could be, could launch a citywide campaign led by students to explain why it matters? If we want young people to follow the rules, we need to be partners in shaping them. Lastly, I'll transition to the agenda items for today's meeting. I want to express my support for the revised Chancellor's regulation, a eight 20. In a world where so much of our learning happens online, student data, privacy and consent must be a top priority. This regulation strengthens those protections,
and I hope future regulations will continue evolving with students in mind. I want to conclude by expressing my support for contract item 26, which is a request for authorization to contract with South Asian Youth Action Incorporated in a tenths political climate where students, different nationalities, gender identities, and religions feel ostracized, it's vital to continue creating spaces for where students of all backgrounds can express themselves. Science, dedication to social and emotional learning and support for immigrant and lgbtq plus students is especially vital in the future. I'd love to see other contracts like this partnering with organizations like Inspira and more youth centered programs. I want to suggest offering more opportunities
for youth in regards to crisis management, to show them that they belong and can make change in their communities. Having students create their own affinity clubs and support groups while getting an adult advisor is challenging. So it's important to consider new ways we can expand student support in a way that's not so taxing on students. This contract is a prime example of this. Thank you for allowing me to share my experiences and reflections, and I look forward to learning and listening to you all. Thank you. Thank, Thank you both for Yeah, please, please do. Thank you both for your, uh, for your, for your testimony. You know, I watch them sometimes as they're preparing their, their testimony at the computer, and I try to listen in
because, you know, they, uh, but they, they, they're very diligent and come up with, uh, you know, really, uh, uh, uh, very good issues and, and present them in a way, um, that I think the, it makes the adults feel like, you know, we have to raise our game because they do such a really great job. So, thank you both and we're excited to have your continued engagement and involvement in the Panel for Education policy. Um, we're now gonna transition to open, uh, form, which we allow students. Normally this is at for, for All is at the end of the agenda, but we allow the students to, um, uh,
present any comments earlier in the meeting. So, are there any students who, um, have signed up for public comment? Uh, yes, we have a student speaker. But first I do wanna note that we have been joined by two more members. Rema G***o, say that you're present. And Anthony Giordano. Oh, and Aaron Boad three Oh. And we do have a student speaker signed up. Ellen Tucker. Yeah, she, I got nothing. Yep. Good evening, everyone. My name is Ellen Tucker and I go to 12 the Young Women's Leadership School.
I'm a part of the founding classes. Going to this school made me experiences so many great memories with everyone there, the sisterhood and the encouragement. And this school makes you feel like it's a place where you can really grow and find out what you want to be like and discover what you're passionate about. Our prince, our principal, Ms. Shepherd, and our counselors and teachers always are able to find a way to solve challenges in the best way possible. There's a lot of programs that help us with self-development and social dev, social development, like our empowerment program that teaches students many life lessons. That's why I'm proud of being part of the school community. And I'm excited to continue my educational journey
with the Young Women Leadership School. Thank you. Thank you. And we have another student speaker, Lila Torres. She here? Yeah. Oh, Lila Torres. Where is she? She's here. She's here. Oh, she's called. Good Evening. My name is Lila Torres. I'm here today. Talk about the same thing I always do. School lunch and busting. I'm gonna start with school lunch. I would like to say thank you to everybody who played a part in changing my school lunch and the display. A and a special thanks to the chancellor who visited my school and ate lunch with me and a couple of my friends.
I would like to, I would like to point out that even though the food may look amazing and have a pretty display, doesn't mean it always tastes good. Some kids still end up throwing out their lunches, including me. They spend a lot of money on changing the displays and making it look appetizing and pretty. But it doesn't really matter if the kids aren't eating the lunch. We can't keep on spending money on stuff that's ending up in the garbage. Um, we need to do better. Kids are hungry. Parents tax dollars are paying for the things that are just ending up in the trash. Kids can't focus if they can't eat. There needs to be a change in the school lunch. Okay. Uh, next busing.
My brother finally has a bus, but the bus is getting here around 7 45 or even later. Sometimes. I can't leave until my brother's bus comes, which means I have to take a cab and I still get to school late. Um, I'm getting, getting to school late, missing instruction, and so is my brother. If my brother's bus doesn't come, my parents have to pay extra money to get both of us to school somewhat on time. It's not fair. At the end of the school year, my brother is gonna get a bus, and the time might be fixed. But next year it's gonna probably go back to the same way it was. I will have a bus, but the time probably still be jacked up and, um, it'll go back to the way it used to be.
Um, I would still be very, I would like to say again, thank you to the Chancellor and anybody who played a part in changing my school lunch, and for my brother's best being fixed. Thank you. Have a good day. Okay, chancellor, would you like to, uh, respond? Lila, wherever you're going in middle school, I'm gonna follow you. So we're gonna keep having lunch together until we get this right, because I, I know that the, the, the rice tasted pretty good, but if it's not consistent, we're gonna keep having lunch together until we get it right. Is that a deal? I'll see you in middle school. Thank you. Okay. That's great. Uh, we have some old business to attend to before we move into the official, uh, uh, uh, business of the, the evening.
And that is the adoption of minutes. We have two sets of minutes, uh, minutes from our April meeting and minutes from our March meeting, um, that we, uh, did not, um, uh, approve. So is there a motion for unanimous consent to adopt both the April and the March minutes of the panel for education policy Chair Ner court of order? Yes. Uh, according to the agenda, there's actually four sets of minutes. Four, yeah. There's March, uh, 12th, March 26th, because they were double meetings, right? Yes. Yes. So, so can we bundle all of those And, and, um, and is that acceptable to, sorry, I move
that we approve the minutes by unanimous consent. Okay, great. Is it, Can we get on the record the dates of the meetings? Yes. Uh, uh, March 12th, 2025. March 26th, 2025. Uh, April 23rd, 2025, and April 30th, 2025. Man, the panel was working really hard. That was a lot of, lot of meetings, right? I didn't, didn't feel like, like that. Um, is there, is there any objections to unanimous consent? Uh, hearing no objections to unanimous consent, the minutes, uh, for those meetings are adopted. And, uh, we'll now move on to the next item on the agenda, which is the consideration of contracts. And I'll s
We are joined by another member. Um, Sen, can you indicate that you're present? Thank you. Sure. We'll, now move to consideration of contracts. Uh, secretary, when you get a chance, could you present the resolution Contractor? Uh, the resolution up for approval is entitled Resolution to Enter into Contract Agreements. Okay. Is there a, is there a motion? Yes. Cast Radio. Is there a second? Second from Vice Chair. Uh, we'll now move to public comment on the, uh, resolution. There are no speakers signed up
to comment on the contract items. Okay. Um, I don't know how to proceed. I'm not choose to that Ready? Uh, yeah, I'm not, you know, used to that contract. Um, yes. Now, uh, who made the motion? I think that panel member MCC casre. So technically you would get the first recognition, uh, for comment You so much. Um, Thank it. Uh, my comments are on item number nine, extension for Learning to Work programs for young Adult Borough Centers and transfer schools,
otherwise known as Y ABCs. Um, I'd just like to highlight the importance of extending the Learning to Work program for students in Y ABCs and Transfer schools. These programs help older students stay on track to graduate and move forward in life. We're voting on a two year contract extension, but the reality is it's only partially funded by City Council and only for the first year. For the upcoming year, we're short $11 million, and there's no plan yet to fund the year after that.
I'm voting yes on this contract because we can't afford to let these vital services lapse. But it's important to know that the vendors running these programs are working off contracts that are over five years old, they're underfunded and can't fully meet students' needs under the existing contract. In fact, some are personally covering costs just to keep the programs going. So that's not sustainable. These programs need to be fully funded and baselined in the city budget to ensure stability and quality for the long term.
I hope that families and advocates will raise their voices to the city council and state legislature without strong support, we risk losing programs that make a real difference in student lives. Thank you. Thank you, Ma'am. I'm so Panama Shepherd. I saw your hand. Thank you, chef Faulkner. Um, I wanna speak to, um, two contracts. Um, I also wanna speak to the, uh, extension for the Learning to Work program. Um, this contract is very important. Um, like Panel member Kare said, it, it, it,
it really serves to, um, provide opportunity for, um, uh, overage and UNDERCREDITED students, um, giving them the opportunity to, uh, work and learn work skills. Um, I will also add that, uh, as we advocate in the future, um, that we acknowledge that not every child that is over raised and under credited is in a transfer school, um, or as part of a, um, YABC program.
And, um, you know, if we are going to provide opportunities for young people, um, through this very important service that we, um, look at a more holistic type of investment, um, one fully funding it, making sure that the programs, um, are not coming out of their like own pocket and floating the money while they're waiting for, uh, payment and keeping the program going. Like they should have the sustainable funding they need.
And we should be expanding that funding, um, you know, to cover as many students, um, that qualify, um, for it. Uh, the other contract I wanted to speak to briefly is contract item number 10. Um, it is an extension for webcast services, uh, brought to you by learning times. And, um, I just want to say in this space publicly, um, how appreciative I am for the work that you do to keep the community connected with this space, um,
while we are having these meetings. So, um, you know, $992,000 a year is a very small price to pay, um, for making sure that our communities are connected with this space. And I, uh, uh, do look forward to voting yes, uh, on these two contracts. Thank you, chair fa. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Chair. Um, I wanna reiterate the comments that Panel Member Shepherd made about learning times. I know there have been some issues with getting paid on time, even with the contracts,
but I, I hope that I'm so glad to hear that. I'm glad to hear that. Um, I'd also, um, first like to take a moment to commend, uh, the DOE for the open-ended RFP and agenda item number one, uh, which provides much needed increases in rates for contracted service providers, um, which makes D OES related service contracts much more competitive and which will hopefully expand, uh, doe's ability to provide these services to all children who need them. Um, I do wanna follow up on my comments in the briefing
about agenda item number 20, which is the edmentum EdTech software. Um, it was disheartening to hear in that briefing that while DOE is asking the panel to approve a contract worth up to more than $850,000 over five years, that there is currently no centralized system to track these tools, um, or link them to student assessment outcomes across the system. Um, it's concerning that DOE is still contracting with vendors for materials and professional development
and ed tech such as this without any data around its effectiveness or impact on student outcomes here in New York City. And while it may be left to schools to decide whether to use listing applications, um, which is sort of the default response on, on the, these sorts of contracts, why even offer them products that have an unknown degree of effectiveness? It seems way past time that systems are put in place to measure the effectiveness of these types of tools
and to ensure that schools are spending what limited funding they have available to them on things like this Wisely. Yes, it is a very big system, but that's not really an excuse. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any other panel members who wish to comment? See, seeing none, we'll proceed to a vote on the resolution. Uh, there are no recusals, um, on the contract's agenda. And when I call your name, please indicate how you wish to vote. If you wanna vote differently on any particular contract item, please let me know. When I call your name. Um, member Ali, yes.
To all member Ali, say no on 20 Yes. To the rest member Arnold? Yes to all. Um, member Boad? Yes. To all member Casre? No. I'm 20. Yes. To the rest member Deans Stag. Yes. Member, um, Betric Ellis? Yes. To, uh, 20 abstain. And yes. For the rest, abstaining on 20? Yes. Um, member, uh, ano? Yes.
Vice Chair Green? Yes. To all member Hassan? Yes. Member Ho. Yes. To all member Es no. To 20. Yes. To the rest member MI May Yes. Member odd one. Yes. To all Member Ong? Yes. To all Member sap? Yes. To All Member Shepherd Stain from 20, stain from two. And yes. To the rest. Uh, member Ang? Yes. And Chair Faulkner? Yes to all. Okay. The resolution passes, um,
with the exception of all of them. Pass. And on item number, contract number 20, it passes with 14 Yes votes, three nos and two abstentions. And on item two, there are 18 Yes. Note votes and one abstention. Otherwise, it is unanimous. Thank you, secretary Nathan. Uh, we'll now move on to the next item on the agenda, which is the consideration of proposals for school utilization. And, uh, after you finish your tally, if you could just, uh, you know, present the resolution for consideration. Sure. My pleasure. Public comment on the resolution.
Do we have the superintendent? The superintendent? Yes. I wanna invite you to the, uh, podium. Good evening. Members of the Pep Chancellor. Uh, I created a diversion 'cause I know you had to leave, so that was your cue. Uh, my name is Dr. Rode Pelton, and I am the proud superintendent of this amazing district. Um, Uh, well, we welcome you guys back to Staten Island. Uh, I take immense pride to have to be the only community school district with Awis School. All the other ones are part of another district. Um, from the very beginning, we recognized that Twills would be a transformative tra uh,
or, uh, school for young women, particularly those from marginalized communities, much like our Eagle Academy. To ensure the schools timely opening, uh, for our students, we placed it in an available space, or originally designed for elementary school students in the Maryland King campus. Currently, this location houses a community elementary school, as well as a district 75 program. TWIs launched with a sixth grade class and is steadily progressing toward welcoming its first high school cohort. This up upcoming school year, the exceptional leaders at the current co-located space
have demonstrated remarkable dedication, making the situation work thus far. Despite the challenges and sacrifices that has required their efforts deserve recognition and commendation. And for that, I thank them. However, as each of our schools continues to grow, our priority remains ensuring that all students receive the best possible educational experience. Twills is committed to cultivating young women as future change agents, and achieving that mission requires an environment that fully supports the ambitions. The move to South Avenue campus
and Initiative, I wholeheartedly support creates new opportunities that do not exist in their current location. This expansion will provide access to enough classrooms to meet the unique needs of our, of not just our middle school students, but our incoming high school students. Additionally, it will allow for career connected learning experiences, internships, and other essential programs that will empower our young leaders and strengthen their futures. In line with our New York City Public School mission. Our young ladies are really special to us, and I know under the leadership of Principal Shepherd,
they will com and the Twills organization, they'll continue to flourish and make us proud in district 31. So I urge you to vote yes on this resolution. Thank you. Thank You. Thank you for that enlightening presentation. Okay. Um, we'll now move to public comment. Uh, we are also joined by the principal Aisha Shepherd. Oh, it, I believe, yes. Yes. Okay, sure. Just come to the podium. Perfect. Can you hear me? I am Aisha Shepherd, the proud founding principal
of the Young Women's Leadership School of Staten Island. At the Young Women's Leadership School of Staten Island, students will be equipped to learn and create in this ever-changing world, students will give back and inspire those around them by using what they have mastered. Tools, scholars will leave a legacy because they will create and innovate to positively impact the people and communities that they encounter. This is the mission of Tools, Staten Island. At Tools, we are innovators, which means we can make anything work because we are creative and problem solvers, which is
what we are doing in our current shared location. At Tools, we've been able to provide many opportunities for college and career days, summer enrichment programs, celebrity sightings, including Ashanti and Run Movement, dance and Arts Ignites and Sports Programs, advisory geared towards real world application. And seven after school programs, which include, but are not limited to. Willie May Rock Band, creative Writing Club, step Team and Power Club, and Delta Gyms. The campus of 1441 South Avenue will offer robust space,
high ceiling, with enough classrooms to sustain us through high school, a huge campus internship opportunity in the fields of interest in the science and medical field business and the arts, which is student voice. From our three founding classes, a space for Dance and movement, a rooftop garden that doubles as an outdoor classroom, which students can explore with their educators. Networking opportunities with folks that can really support our students in creating,
in this ever changing world. Support what accelerated classes and real life experience. While R 1 24, it's further for some families, our middle school students will be provided with busing. And ninth grade students will be reviewed by Pupil Pupil transportation. I've gathered a lot of feedback from our families in the month of May, and some of our families are here today as a sixth through 12th school that's opening a high school in a few short months. I've expressed an overwhelming positive response to students
who are joining us for ninth grade because they love our small class setting and advisory program because they always have one caring adult that cares about their student. Amazing opportunities such as MSK, career Day student ambassadors, school trips out of borough, like Six Flags in Trepid and Brooklyn. The academic growth for students overall in our school went up in ELA last year by 11% and 5% in mathematics. The level of support that our students receive
for individual learning styles result in more students each year, moving to least restrictive environments. In closing, the move to South Avenue supports the Twills mission overall, but particularly it addresses our mission that students will be equipped to learn and create in this ever-changing world. I'm grateful for your attentiveness if I share what's on my heart about the proposed move to South Avenue. Thank you. We'll, we, we will now move to public comment. Uh, We have one other speaker signed up.
Laura Rebell Gross. I can't find my notes, so I'm going to wing it. Um, good evening Chancellor and members of the PEP committee. Uh, I'm Laura Rebel Gross. I lead the girls education team at Student Leadership Network, which is the intermediary organization that supports all of the twill schools and College Bound initiative throughout New York City. And we're so happy to be in Staten Island. I think many of you know that the Young Women's Leadership Schools is a movement that started, uh, in 1996 by our founder Ann Tisch, who opened the first single gender school
in the country in over 30 years. And since that time, we've grown to include six schools. One, uh, here in New York City, one in every borough. Staten Island is our youngest school. And, um, it is our model to start with sixth grade and grow one grade at a time until we get to 12th, which is why we are here now at this point where we're gonna be moving into high school and need the new space, the beautiful space, um, on South Avenue. We're really excited about the prospect of this move because the space, and I know many of you have seen it, provides exactly
what the students need for our whole Girl Education framework, uh, for our four core areas of health and wellness, stem, early college and career awareness and leadership. Uh, the partnership with the DOE and with the Kora Group allows so many opportunities for these students to get internships, to have different program partners, and to really immerse themselves in all that the community of Staten Island has to offer. And so we're really, really in favor of this move. Very excited and, um, so happy
to be growing this school in this wonderful borough. So thank you. Thank you. That is the extent of the public comment. Okay, great. Um, we will now move to panel member comments and we offer the floor first to our panel members from Staten Island. So that is, uh, panel member Bogart and panel member Venus saying, I don't know who wants to go first. Um, I wanna thank Bogart. You Floor is yours. Are you gonna go first? Yeah, Yeah, I guess. Okay. I just want to, uh, thank everybody, uh, for being here and welcoming. I welcome you to Staten Island.
I apologize for the traffic and the, our failure, uh, when it comes to this, this school, I was fortunate enough to be on the CEC when we first discussed, uh, this, uh, this happening. And it was a real special thing, really good thing. And I'm really happy to see it continue. Uh, we are all in favor of this expansion to and relocation to the new building. So I ask that everybody support, uh, this really, really important, uh, school for our, uh,
our borough and our city as well. Thank You. Thank you. Panel member, panel members ang, Um, The Community Education Council 31. They support this, um, move of twelves to the new building. So, um, please support the move. Thank You. Thank you. Are there any other panel members? Panel member, chef, I see you reaching for the mic. Is that me? Yes. You want, yes, you're recognized. Thank you. Chair Faulkner. Um, so I had an opportunity today to go and, uh, visit the site
and, um, uh, I will say, uh, that it, it was an amazing site. It, it looked great and it, um, uh, appears to be the type of space where, um, if we are talking strictly from a, a space perspective, um, would give, uh, these young women, um, what they need to grow. Um, I will though just add, well, first of all, I, I, I'm, I'm going to support this,
um, but I do have to, um, like Principal Shepherd spoke from her heart, and I just have to add something to this. Um, twills was founded, uh, as a school, uh, for underprivileged girls. Um, and I say that part out loud, um, because historically speaking, underprivileged meant black. I'm not saying that's what it is here, but I keep that in mind
because the spaces that we offer need to allow for these young women to show up unapologetically who they are. And, um, I I say that because, um, at the end of the day, um, I certainly want to see spaces where, um, our young women can be connected to a community, but I also want to see that same community
be connected to them. And, um, that's just the kind of piece of, I guess, advice in my ask for the community where this school is being placed, um, that it, in addition to showing these students what may be different from where they are, right, to also accept them for who they are and what they bring. Um, so with that, um, I will be, uh, approving this.
Um, and, you know, uh, to Twills, like, continue the great work, show up how you are, be who you are, and you know, we are with you. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, any other panel members wish to comment? Yes, panel member sap. Hi there. Um, this actually has a very special place in my heart. Um, 25 years ago, plus my sister and I started in the youth empowerment Mission
blossom program for girls in bed Sstu. And the work with a population that is under the radar always takes precedence because you have to exist where people are saying they don't see you, you don't get a chance just to dissipate just because others do not see you. So when we talk about black girl magic, we really mean, how do you stand in your truth when people are saying you do not exist?
What are the markers that will round you or will keep you standing when someone doesn't see you? That is a powerful position because you do not have consensus that agrees that you're there. So just understanding that that is the work that I have come from and forms a lot of what I do today. Sometimes people don't see what you're talking about, right? But it doesn't mean that you do not exist. So I applaud everything that you're doing
and when you have a moment, principle Shepherd, I would love to hear some of your strategies with the learning styles that you spoke of and how that will be measured, because I may have to use them, but thank you so much. It's, it's just lovely to hear panel member Shepherd. It's lovely to hear how you, you know, place that, and we need to just call it what it is. How do you exist in space when people historically do not see you? So thank you. A you
Thank thank you panel member. Are there any other panel members who wish to comment? Yep. Panel member Casre. Um, thank you so much. I, I also went on the tour with Panel Member Shepherd, and it is a beautiful space. Um, we saw a lot of the rooms, the dance room, the potential dance room, the art room, the cafeteria. Um, I, I did have a couple of concerns with the floor plan, though that we were shown. It did not specify any space for special education,
no resource room. Um, and on the Nysed website it says that the school has 31% students with disabilities. And so I hope that there will be efforts made in the planning to assure that students are being served appropriately. I'm sure the principal will manage that, but just on paper, I wanted to uplift that, that was not detailed. Um, another thing that we really didn't get feedback from that we asked in our briefing was about the transportation. And I did do just a simple, um,
search on the map and it, it's an hour minimum on the public bus with the metro card. And I know that some of the younger students were offered busing, but just to know that for those students who are coming from the area of the existing school, it is one hour on the public bus. Um, and then the last thing was that we were told that they're only going to be signing a five year lease because the SCA refused to sign a lease beyond five years.
And in the briefing we talked about that the SCA had money allocated to build a new school specifically for Twills. And there was some talk about well, they'll move in there in five years and maybe wanna stay a lot longer. Um, so I feel like that feels very up in the air. Um, I just wanted to elevate those points. Thank you. Any other panel members who wish to comment? Okay, I don't, I don't see any other hands. I'm gonna go out on a limb here because I think we've been impressed. I had a chance to see the photographs. I didn't make a visit, but I saw the photos.
So I'm gonna go out on a limb here. Is there a motion for unanimous consent on the adoption of this resolution? So Moved. Is there a second to unanimous consent? Is there objection to unanimous consent hearing? No objection. The motion passes and the motion is adopted. Congratulations. Um, I, I will point out the significance when the panel, um, is, is impressed. It's not often that we do it, but once in a while something becomes so clear cut and obvious that it, that it becomes something that we believe the message should be, that we wholeheartedly support this and,
and wish you well as you move forward in developing your program. Um, I guess hopefully at some future point when the panel comes to Staten Island, we'll be invited to come. Maybe I was gonna ask, do you have a nice sizable auditorium that we host a group of? Uh, you know, uh, but, uh, not to say that we don't wanna come back. Don't, don't, you know, here, but, uh, it'd be great to see the building and, and see the progress that's being made. Um, uh, there. So congratulations and, uh, uh, we expect great things to happen. Absolutely. Great. Thank you. We're here to support you. Yeah.
That's what we're here for. Yep. Uh, the next item on the agenda is the, uh, consideration of, uh, uh, uh, amendments or regulat chance regulation. A eight 20 is there, would you please present the, uh, resolution? The resolution up for approval is entitled Resolution to Approve Amendments to Chancellor's Regulation. A A 20. Okay. Is there a motion to adopt the resolution? So moved. Panel Member Shepherd. Is there a second to second? Um, we'll now move to public comment on the resolution. We have one speaker signed up. Um, Anthony Valo,
You Here. If you're here, make your way to the, down to the microphone. We may not be here. I don't. Okay. Okay. So, uh, we'll move then to panel member comments and panel member Shepherd, you're the maker of the motion, so you get the first recognition. Thank you, chair Faulkner. So the point of this, uh, the update to this resolution, I mean, to this regulation, uh, is really about updating the policies as they relate to, um, uh, student data and data privacy.
Um, I want to thank the, uh, we had a data privacy working group that really examined this regulation, uh, as it is and really leaned into, um, what the proposed changes mean, uh, for our, uh, students and families and school communities. Um, I do want to start, uh, with one thing. The first thing is, uh, what we are proposing is,
uh, better than what we had. Um, does it go all the way in answering or addressing all the needs or concerns that parents have? I would say it doesn't. That's fair. Um, uh, that said, uh, it does, it does provide some progress. Now, the concerns that that parents have raised, and we've heard it a lot in these spaces, um, uh, centers around things, and some of them may
or may not be connected to this, right? Um, you've heard parents say, well, you know, how, how charter schools seem to get my info right. Um, I wanna be clear that there are provisions in state and federal law that require that the DOE share information with charter schools as it relates to, um, like mailers and those kinds of things. Um, the other one is around what's called directory information.
And I think there is some confusion around what directory information is and what directory information is not. Um, directory information is kind of the basic information, like someone's name, like a picture, what grade they're in, and that's information that is used by the school for events and things, right? Like your yearbook picture, right? That information is directory information, right? What directory information is not
is personally identifiable information. So things like your birthdate, your social security number, um, those kinds of things like personally identifiable information. Um, and then there's information that is shared as a course of action in terms of connection with like programs and services that we offer, right? So there may be times when information needs to be shared with a provider, right?
Of a service. So for example, if you are using, uh, if you are, if a school is using a particular online platform, right? Like a a a curriculum, there's information that is shared in that process. What this, what this regulation is designed to do is add clarity around what those things look like, who is allowed to share what with who, what those, what the reporting requirements are. Like, it's a, it's a technical regulation. Now, I say all of that because it is confusing.
And the problem with all of this, if, if it's confusing, then it's confusing to parents, right? The other concern that parents have have stated is, well, can I opt in or out of these things? Right? And I think that's the part that the working group, like the work that we did not complete, I think there is more work to be done right now in order for all of this to work for parents to work for school communities and the community at large. There really needs to, um, like the DOE really needs
to lean into the same type of training for parents and like that it, it requires of school communities, right? So all staff in the DOE must have data privacy training, right? But that does not exist in the same way for parents right now. And, you know, the DOE has committed that it will, um, if this reg, if the, the changes to this regulation are passed to, um, provide the type of training, um, for parents
that allows them to make the informed decisions that they need to make about, you know, whether or not they want their name, their kids' name, directory information and stuff up, right? Like, it, it allows them to understand the law. It allows them to understand the regulation. And I think it serves as an opportunity to fill like an information gap, right? Like parents have long said that they are uncomfortable with the way that the DOE shares information about these things. And I see this as an opportunity to close that gap.
Um, so, um, I just wanted to, you know, just provide some context for this regulation and, um, I will, uh, urge the, uh, panel to vote to approve it with an understanding that the DOE will keep the working group going and continue to evaluate the changes to these regulations and see how they're working and make the necessary changes in the future so that our school, our, our students
and families information are protected. Thank you Chair fa Thank you. And thank you panel member. I'm glad you referenced the working group and the efforts that they put into it. Several of us, uh, yourself, panel member, uh, Hassan, um, NSAN have all served on the working group. Um, the chancellor indicated this is gonna be an ongoing process, so I think that you know, this isn't the end. There's, there'll be more to come. And so I think you correctly note that. And so, um, we'll, there's gonna be further work, there'll be other engagement. So I think that this has been a, a very good process, um, uh, thus far. So thank you for your comments. Are any other panel members
who wish to comment your panel member lie. Thank you, chair. Um, while this amended reg is undoubtedly, um, an improvement over the outdated version we have all been working with, and thank you to the, the working group for their work on this. I just wanna reiterate something that our office has noted in previous meetings, um, about the lack of specific protocols for protecting student data when it comes to third party vendors procured directly by schools, um,
when they, um, engage in their under $25,000, um, contracts directly with vendors. Um, it's not really clear at all what oversight is in place to ensure compliance with these regulations and those types of, um, agreements and whether the required training for those vendors has actually taken place. And it would be something that we maintain, um, could be much more clearly prescribed in the regs, um, even if it's not specifically called out in, in state law.
And hopefully, um, we'll be in the future. Thank You. Okay. Thank you. Any other panel members wish to comment? I don't, I don't. Do I see a hand Yes. Panel member. Um, Thank you. Um, I just wanted to echo Thomas Shepherd's comments. Um, and I think it's very true, um, that families and students alike, sometimes they get a little fearful about sharing data and even signing, um, forms like consent forms because they don't know the extent of the data
that they're sharing with. And even the languaging on these consent forms itself can be a little bit vague. And I think also making more people aware what direct re information is, and that only that sort of surface level information is the subject of these consent forms, will allow people to feel much more at ease with signing them and contributing to sharing their data and their information for things like yearbooks or club activities or for the school website. Um, and I think right now there's a bit of a,
like a gate kept kind of feeling to the languaging of these forms. And even the way teachers and people administer these forms, they just say, oh, sign this form. It's so that you can participate in this, or so that we can have this. And it's like they don't really specify exactly the extent to which they can and cannot share data. And I think by letting people know that more transparently, it will put people very at ease and sort of contribute to a larger, more widespread understanding of what data
transparency is like. Thank you. Thank you. Any other panel member? Uh, vice chair Green. Thank you. Chair Faulkner. Very, very well spoken young student panel member. Uh, it's very important that we understand. And, uh, panel member Shepherd, you made, uh, really good points. Uh, just like classrooms are differentiated, schools are differentiated. Some schools will understand the processes different than others. Some a little better, some not so much. Some school communities will embrace it differently. So we have to make sure though, that we pull forward
with the vote because we wanna make sure that we move forward so that school communities can move forward. We know that we're in a data environment. Everyone I'm sure has received some notice at some point that their data has been breached. And that's our personal information. Our social security numbers are telephone numbers for students in the schools. I can say that we don't usually share that type of information, but it's important for parents to understand like, uh, our young panel member said what parents are signing or do they understand it? Is it in all the languages?
The chancellor's regulation is a start at putting forth and understanding that the data will be sh may be shared and may may not be shared in many cases. Uh, you know, in some schools that I've been in, we've never had a third party use student names to make, uh, the, the diplomats, you know, we've d we've done that, we've done that in-house. So we, we don't want to let this whatever we are thinking, we have to make sure that we speak to our local communities,
our local superintendents, our local principals in the areas to make sure that the parent coordinators in those buildings explain to the parents what it is they need to sign for, what they need to do, what kind of data is being shared. And then it is their job then in the local schools to make sure that the data company, the, excuse me, the third party companies are being held accountable, making sure that they don't breach any data of our students and if they do what the consequences could
be. So thank you. Thank you. Your panel member or I just quickly. Yeah, I can't hear You. Alright. I just quickly, uh, but, uh, every comment, so I appreciate if there will be instructions attached in many language as we could use. Why we asking for the data away, why it's good to share the data, uh, with, uh, uh, com, with the DOE asking for, especially for home language, which is important when the, you know, students with to be well recognized and get proper services. Take.
Okay. Thank you. Pan Member Mayor May. Yeah, panel member Casare. And then, Uh, so it doesn't need to go. Said that maintaining student privacy is one of the most critical responsibilities of the Department of Education. Uh, the current regulation hasn't been updated since 2009 and is long overdue for a revision. In the last 16 years, we've been introduced to Google Classroom Zoom learning apps, data breaches, increased surveillance and monitoring, facial recognition, location tracking, vague vendor privacy policies, and ai.
Um, since New York State passed the stricter privacy laws and the amendments are a direct response to that while still aligning to federal guidelines, the DOE data privacy working group has worked with many stakeholders throughout this process to redesign these regulations. Um, since the last draft over six months ago, more updates had been made to strengthen it further. And why am I saying this? Because a few community members have asked to table the amendment to continue revising it, but leaving these regulations outdated creates confusion
for our school leaders who need clear current guidance to do their jobs effectively. We really should not enter another school year relying on a privacy regulation that's over a decade old. I truly believe parents can work with their school leadership teams to implement stronger privacy practices that meet, meet their unique student population needs. And I believe updating this regulation now is a necessary step and a foundation for protecting our students' data. We need to act now. Thank you, Gabe. Thank you. Uh, yep. Be
Thank you Chair Faulkner. Uh, just wanted to, um, uplift what panel member Kare said. Uh, when we think back to 2009, I mean, what was it? I forgot which iPhone was then, but you know, just how quickly technology changes. I still own it. Was it a 3G? Yeah. Geez. Um, and so do want to kind of uplift which other panel members have shared that protecting student data must remain an ongoing priority. So this is not the final, but, uh, really the beginning and really appreciate, want to highlight and appreciate the work of the working group and looking forward to continued conversations
to continue refining, uh, the chancellor's regulation. So thank you. Great. Uh, did I see any other I can't see Yeah. Panel member. Yes. I didn't see the Dr. Uh, van, so I just want to, uh, of course, up least everything that had been said, uh, before. And, uh, uh, I would like to make sure that the DO has a plan, uh, especially vis-a-vis the parents. And, uh, as the other member of the PEP said, many parents do not even have of, uh, of other communities,
other languages do not even have the, uh, the, the notion of that protection of their data. So I hope that the, the DOE has with strong, uh, plan, uh, to, to support the parents because we, we need a strong education here and for their protection, for their students' protection. Okay. Are there any other comments? I, I don't, Something briefly. Um, woo. This is, um, uh, this is directed towards
panel member Shepherd. The directory information, I guess we can share off offline or what have you, but that's a fabulous idea. And I, and I also think it should be color coded for, for just understanding the boundaries around what is shared in-house opposed to dispersed within, um, I guess DOE or what have you. Because as a marketer, you know, I think we, we also need to understand what the aim of marketing is
and that small print and the, the trickery in the wording of how, like, this is a full-time job for the, the other end of this, the opposite side of that. So I think, you know, the more the parents are informed and, um, and also using, uh, different learning styles, not just, you know, language yes, but also the style in which, um, someone is processing this information. But to come up with, um, a form of something, a directory information just to put boundaries on what the expectation is, is, is brilliant.
Um, Yeah. Yes, panel mover Luciana, it was a huge bond. Thank you, Adriana. Alicia here for Queen CECs. You can't hear me? Hello? Bring it closer. Bring It closer. Apologies. Okay. Diba, Adriana, Lisa here for Queen ecs. Uh, I am sharing comments tonight that are written in tandem with my, just A second. I think it's a, it's still a little hard. If you move it close, it's possibly as close
as you can so we can hear you. Can you guys hear me now? Better. Better? Yeah. Adriana Laia here for Queen CECs. Um, my comments tonight are in tandem with my favorite co-conspirator who's not here this evening. Panel member Alban, uh, as it stands, chancellor's Regulation A 20 are not extensive enough to protect New York City Public School students' data, the updates to the reg. These proposed amendments also do not go far enough to protect them, and their data accountability and appropriate penalties for vendors must be implemented and enforced. We know that violations of student data privacy
and security breaches lead to our students being targeted on social media platforms, and it also primes them for identity theft and other forms of fraud. Given what we know. The reg should also include an outline of a notification process, how to seek support and how to get resources with respect to our children's information. Somehow ending up being included in the mailing list of every charter in the city. Opt-in is not the industry standard in any industry. Further, sorry, in reverse further, it doesn't align
with the spirit of true partnership, especially here because our families cannot opt in or out of things that they do not know their student has automatically been opted into or out of. There's no clear transparency there. For example, a list for families with respect to all of the things that their children are automatically opted into and or out of a 20 must be made stronger, and it must be elastic enough to fit our current landscape, especially in the era of AI with our increased use of
and reliance on technology and educational spaces. Thank you. Thank you. Any other panel member who has have spoken, who wishes to speak, then let's proceed to the question. Let's move to vote. Chance wants to speak. Oh, chance, I'm sorry. Yes, thanks. Uh, just wanna thank, uh, all the panel members for their, um, hard work, um, and partnership with our team on the working group. Um, and for all the comments made here tonight. Um, but I wanna underscore a theme that resonated across all of the comments. This regulation has not been updated in a very long time.
I wanna remind everyone that we did pause it initially to go back to the drawing board and hold a working group so we could do better around updating this regulation. And as I mentioned in my opening statements, this work is far from done. This merely is us being responsible and updating a regulation that has been sorely ignored. Um, especially given all of the technological developments. And this is a starting point for us to continue these conversations to make sure
that we are protecting our students' data. And most importantly, in addition to that, that we are engaging with parents and really explaining the intricacies behind this. So in no way are we saying that this work is done, but it is urgent that we update this. And I wanna thank everyone for engaging on the working group during that pause. But if we do not move forward with this, what we are stuck with is a very outdated reg that doesn't allow us to move forward in a way that's best for children.
So I urge the panel to please consider moving this forward so we can continue to do work in service of our children. Great. Thank, thank you for those comments. Chancellor. Yes. Panel members skip In in the light of urgency. I, I would like to ask if we can have the working group reconvene before the next PEP meeting. Um, I'm sure we all wanna vote yes, but we all also want more. And so if we can move to more at the same time as updating this so we can continue progressing. Thank you. Absolutely. Okay. Student? Yes. Student. Uh, yes. Panel member. Yeah.
Um, sorry. I just had a concern about, uh, ensuring data regulation specifically in regards to ai. Um, if, uh, for example, a school official or a student were to, uh, upload information that's sensitive to the school or meant to be protected under this regulation to an AI algorithm, AI would now have that set information and could use it, um, for a future reference if someone were to ask a similar question or could have it, um, as, you know, information provides. So I was just wondering if in the future we could look more as to how AI might influence data privacy and security.
I think these are all things that could go back to the working group, go back. These are all things that need to go back to the working group, um, which is why we are excited to move forward. This was not a working group, just to get the regulation updated and put it in front of all of you. Let's be clear, working groups are how things continue to move forward. These are not static issues. We know that we have to pay constant attention to them. Um, AI is something that is rapidly changing in real time, and so the need for us to continue paying attention to data privacy, um, is ongoing.
And so I wanna thank everyone for sharing that urgency. And yes, we are deeply committed to this and we do promise, um, to convene the group as soon as we can so we can start that work. Yeah, we'll continue that work, rather. Sure. J very briefly, very briefly, go ahead. Um, I would just also ask that, um, this working group expand, um, and let's make sure, um, that our students are part of this conversation because we are talking about them and it is like closest to them.
So I would, I would love to make sure that as we continue this, the, the, the working, the working group that our students, um, are invited, uh, into that space. Thank you. Sure. I just wanna go back to the subcommittee piece that I mentioned in my opening statement. This is where we now break off into subcommittees, and subcommittees will absolutely ha hold space for students to participate as well. Yeah. So, yes, I think there's been a, a great conversation. I'm, I'm thinking of a book I remember reading years ago. It's called Good To Great and,
and how we're working to take something that's good and move it in a great direction. Um, I think that's gonna happen. I think that we're moving in the right direction. Um, we have the right spirit. We were fortunate in that the chancellor right away agreed that we would have this working group. I've attended some of those meetings. You, some of you have been in those meetings. And so I think that, um, we're only gonna move this forward in a, in a, in a really great direction. So I'm gonna tr ask something in that spirit, um, and that we're making a, a, a great step. Is there an objection to a motion to unanimous consent? See, no objection to unanimous consent. Is, is there a second? Well, there was no objection. No.
Okay. And there's no objection to unanimous consent. Um, so, um, hearing that, I think that's a real signal that we are excited in what we are doing. And, um, the motion for unanimous consent is adopted and the motion is adopted. And thank you everyone very much for your, uh, work and patience. That brings us the, uh, wow. I can't site so confused. Yeah. Um, so we'll now move to the open comment period, um, where folk uh, I audience will have a chance to offer any comments that you might have. I will call the speakers up. Uh, the first group of speakers are, um, wait, wait,
um, Melissa Galley, Seanne Matas, Joshua Mandelbaum, Dwayne Hines, and Richard Hauer. Uh, you can make your way down to the microphone. Okay. Be here. I'll keep moving. Um, Brandon Kappa, Austin Poer. Julia Scion Gihan or Han Tini And Patricia Sino. Okay. There are
People, I wonder if he's any of these people. I don't know. At least, I don't know. Should I repeat the names? Yeah. Uh, we're just wondering if any people that are coming in now signed up for public comment. Okay. I'm gonna, I'm gonna start over then. I'm gonna just be, reread The names for the people coming in. Melissa Galley. Shalene Mattes. Yeah. I'll do the five. Joshua Mandelbaum. Dwayne Hines. I'm tall and rich. Hal Auer Principal. I Dunno. Hey, if your, if your name was called, you can begin speaking to
Good evening, everybody. I'm Melissa Galley. I'm from Pathways District 79. I just came to support and lend my support to the A LC staff. Um, Nicole Quana was an IA principal at my school for three months and then was removed. Um, a hundred percent of the staff agreed that she was ineffective. We had students also write statements that she was ineffective as a principal and didn't want to hear, I guess, their side when students wanted to speak. So I, I'm just here to lend support
'cause my staff, our staff, our school's been through it and I don't know, I just felt it was the right thing to do to be here. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, good e Good evening panel. Um, good evening panel. Um, I, I'm good. We are a United Federation of Teacher members from the Brooklyn Staten Island Alternative Center. I just wanna say that the last time we had presented at Sunset Park, uh, to make this presentation, the superintendent came and visited certain members who spoke. I don't know if it was an intimidation for us not to speak,
but I just wanted to put that on the record. Um, five sites across two boroughs serving a transient high needs student population that includes students with IEPs, English language learners, and those facing significant personal and academic challenges. After receiving superintendent suspensions, we come together tonight, not just as educators, but as advocates for our students parents and as professionals, demanding leadership that is competent, transparent, and humane. Since the appointment of interim acting principal Nicole Kunu, we have experienced a consistent pattern
of poor communication, lack of follow through, and ineffective leadership that is actively undermining our work, our morale, and most importantly, our student success. In November, 2024, 90% of our staff voted no confidence in Ms. Quail's leadership. That vote was not taken lightly. It followed months of documented in, uh, incidents that range from gaslighting and berating staff failing to respond to emergencies
or serious student behavior issues, discouraging ORs reports and silencing teachers trying to maintain safety, ignoring required mentoring for new teachers, publicly humiliating educators in front of students, making unilateral changes to scheduling and operations with no consultation or SBO vote. Some staff members chose not to come tonight in fear of retaliation. Thank you. Hi. Good evening. Um, let me start by saying some say that we have a gripe.
That word is insulting. Look around. We come from five different sites, two different boroughs, and some of us have never met each other before these meetings. But we are united. We are here with a gripe. We are here with a call for justice, for leadership, and for dignity. We are educators, we are advocates, and we will not stop until our students, parents, and staff have the leadership they deserve. It has been over 60 days since administration from Tweed and the superintendent ask for 30 days, and we have seen no change, only further deterioration.
There have been no meaningful responses or actions taken since our vote on April 11th. They see 30 was held. Staff were never informed about who was interviewed. There was no transparency. Rumors suggests that Ms. Kunu may have been included in that process, despite the, despite the documented track record of failed leadership, both at our sites and previously at Pathways to graduation where she replaced, was replaced after just four months, we will not,
we still do not know who the candidates were. We do not know if a permanent principal has been selected. We do not know what comes next. What we do know is this, our staff, our students cannot wait any longer. We have endured nearly two years of instability and are still expected to deliver high quality instruction under leadership that neither supports nor respects us. Superintendent ESP Brown has failed to communicate or provide updates despite multiple direct inquiries and even in-person meetings.
Her silence sends a message that our voices, our experiences and our needs don't matter. We have collectively made a timeline of important events that have taken place since she was announced as the ai. These are just a few things. This will give a clearer picture of her ineffective leadership starting from September, 2024 to present more specifically, after the vote of no confidence was held in November. Uh, fuzzy speaker's time has expired. Um, I will call the next group of speakers. Um, I I will call speakers by name. The next group.
I don't know if I, what is your name? And I'll Julia And lemme remind speaker, you have two, two minute presentation. I'm going to call the next group just because we're gonna recall it. You're in that next group, so you can stay there. Okay. Thanks. Brandon Kappa, Austin Poy. Julius Scion. That's me, Han Lentini. And Patricia Cino is the next group of speakers. Okay. Yeah. Ready? September 11th, 2024. During a staff meeting, Ms. Quainoo suggested having an employee work from inside a code closet in the site September 16th, 2024.
During a one-on-one meeting, Ms. Quainoo repeatedly questioned the work ethic of an employee. She would continue to gaslight and berate the employee making statements that the employee never does anything and is expendable. October 11th, 2024, A staff member emailed Ms. Kunu requesting a personal day. No response was ever received. October 7th, 2024. While in a meeting with an employee, Ms. Kunu gave the directive to modify the template for progress reports. The employee made the suggestion that would be best to discuss the changes with the mental health staff prior to enforcing the changes. But Ms. Kunu adamantly rebuked stating that
what she says goes, and that if she wants the changes made, they will be made. November 12th, 2024, the same staff member called Ms. Kunu twice and received no return call. Emails were also sent regarding an active incident on site. Ms. Kunu replied two days later on November 14th, around 2:00 PM simply stating she was, quote, following up with any updates. November 22nd, 2024, an email was sent to staff on behalf of Ms. Kunu stating that report cards would be generated every marking period, regardless of student seat time. November 20, 24, a new teacher was hired,
but not assigned a mentor by the principal as required. There were repeated attempts made to Ms. Kunu to get support for the teacher in January, 2025. Staff members had to take the initiative to contact the necessary individuals and coordinate the mentoring process themselves to ensure this teacher received proper support. November 26th, 2024, staff sought clarification on the report card policy. Ms. Quinto deflected asking whether the question had been directed to the staff members' direct supervisor, despite the policy having been originated from her. November 27th, 2024, assistant principals emailed staff instructing
them not to contact Ms. Kunu directly. December, 2024, A teacher requested regular subject specific meetings as part of the Monday's matter initiative to enhance curriculum planning. This request was ignored despite multiple follow up. Oh, next, Wait. Right there. December 1st. Hello. Okay. Um, December 1st, 2024. Students were caught vaping in the hallways after lunch period by staff members when the staff, can you hear me? Yeah, you need to, it's a little hard to hear You. Hello.
December 1st, 2024. Students were caught vaping in the hallways after their lunch period by staff members. When a staff member requested an A report be documented by Ms. Cleo. She stated that she did not recommend that a report be made on the same date. Students were use in a bullhorn and use an inappropriate language in the classroom. Another student deprogrammed the computer in which the student was able to have the computer repeat profanity through the speakers. The staff member asked for the two incidents to be written up as an OZ report. Ms. Kleo told the staff member if they wrote
the OZ report, that Ms. Kleo would have to write a letter to the teacher stating that the teacher's lesson was the cause of the incident due to its lack of interest to the students. December 19th, 2024 staff members sent Ms. Cleo two statements regarding two separate incidents. One, a student threatened to shoot the teacher in the head based on the ethnic background of the teacher. The student said a derogatory statement to the teacher as well. The second incident was about a student vape in, in the inside the school building. Ms. Queen never took any action for either incident. December 20th, 2024, a vote of no confidence was introduced
by the UFT to B-W-S-I-A-L-C members against the one I a Nicole Cleo, January, 2025. Staff member's schedule was switched January 3rd, 2025. While Tona visited her around the building, Ms. Cleo stopped in two teacher's classrooms that they shared. She introduced this visitor to another teacher in the room with no acknowledgement of one of the teachers. She ignored the staff member. January 7th, 2025. APS informed mental health staff that the student transition meetings were required for all students, including no-shows.
January 7th, 2025. 90% of the staff voted in favor of the vote of no confidence site and detailed evidence of mismanagement. January 13th, 2025, a staff member with their AP copied, emailed Ms. Queen requested permission to conduct Narcan training for the students. Your time is expired. Practice done in previous years. You have your own and can you just state your name before you're being, uh, Patricia Cino, UFT District Rep. Uh, I was the rep while this woman was the principal at Pathways to graduation. There were constant, constant complaints.
She did not get selected in the C 30 process. That's how the previous superintendent chose how to deal with her inaccuracies and in competencies. I was never asked my opinion. I was never consulted. And she was selected as the interacting principal for the A LCI was very surprised and hurt because there was no conversation on whether it would be a good fit. But I'm not a boss. I get that. We gave an olive olive branch to her by communicating
what the complaints were at her prior school. Crickets. Nothing changed. And that's why we keep coming here to tell you nothing has changed. It is not a good fit for this woman to be the principal at an A LC. Now, I will go to, uh, the, the, uh, horrible thing that has happened to the young man, Dylan in the Bronx. There will be a rally at Tweed Courthouse tomorrow at five o'clock to help support what our government has done to this young man.
I hope that you all could attend. I will look for you because we need you there. This is the first but not the last. Bring friends because this kid did not deserve to have what happened to him. He was tricked and signed his rights away. This is bad. And it's the start, in my opinion. Thank you. The next group of speakers is Renee Sarno. Alex Arguello. Sheila Elias Eliason. Sorry.
Andre Lev. And Vicki Angela dcas, someone over Renee Sarno. Good evening Madam Chancellor and members of the Panel for educational Policy. On behalf of Borough President Vito Ella, we respectfully urge you to join us in supporting the creation of a dedicated performing and visual arts high school on Staten Island, a school that would meet the needs of some of our borough's most gifted and creative students. Staten Island remains the only borough in New York City without a specialized arts high school. While many of our local high schools offer valuable arts
programming, there is a clear absence of a focused high caliber educational environment where students with exceptional artistic talent can truly thrive. We appreciate the time you took to visit SN Harbor Cultural Center, alongside the Borough President, the school Construction authority, and other stakeholders. Your recent visit highlighted what we believe to be an ideal and inspiring setting for such a school. Sn harbor's rich cultural history and underutilized facilities make it a natural home for an institution dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists.
While renovations will be necessary, the potential is tremendous and achievable. Establishing the school on Staten Island would provide students from across the borough and potentially from neighboring boroughs with access to a high quality arts education without the burden of long daily commutes. Where some South Shore students spend an hour and a half to two hours commuting each way. As it stands, many talent students opt out of pursuing specialized arts education because of the logistical challenges and safety concerns posed by travel, especially after school late night where rehearsals
and performances often take place. Without this opportunity, we risk losing the next great concert pianist Broadway star visual artists. Not because of the lack of talent or ambition, but because we have failed to offer the infrastructure and support available to students in every other borough. The Department of Education stands for Equity and Access. We're simply asking for that same equity to be extended to Staten Island. We respectfully and earnestly ask for your participation in making Staten Island Visual and Performing Arts High School a reality. Let us provide our students with the same opportunity to develop their talents, pursue their passions,
and contribute meaningfully to New York City's vibrant cultural legacy. Thank you for your time, your leadership and your consideration. You, I also have a second, um, statement from a, um, alumni, Zu alumni. Is this Okay? Yes. Thank you. On behalf of LaGuardia alumni in Staten Island, Alex DeSantis attending LaGuardia High School, one of New York City's most prestigious arts high schools is a dream for many students, myself included, for those coming from Staten Island. However, this dream comes with a unique set of challenges,
chief among them, the daily commute. My name is Alex DeSantis, and I grew up in Duncan Hills on Staten Island. I come from a supportive, loving home. No matter what I chose to do, my family stood behind me. I studied ballet, singing and acting throughout my childhood with the dream of attending the famed LaGuardia High School. I knew it was far from home, but it was a goal I had established for myself since I was young. After an intense audition process, I had the incredible fortune of attending LaGuardia High School for dance my freshman year. And then for acting the three remaining years. The journey from Staten Island to Manhattan is long, unpredictable, and often exhausting.
I began my day well before sunrise to catch the Staten Island railway, which took me to the Staten Island ferry. Unlike the rest of the boroughs who have their own schools, with a focus on the performing arts, this is the only public transportation option connecting the borough to the rest of the city without a toll. After the 25 minute ferry ride, there's still the matter of navigating a crowded subway system offering, transferring between lines to reach the Upper West side where LaGuardia is located on a good day, that trip can take 90 minutes one way on a bad day due to ferry delays, train issues,
or weather, it can stretch to two or more hours. This grueling commute affects more than just time. It limits afterschool participation at clubs, rehearsals, and social events. It eats into homework and rests and takes. It places a physical and emotional strain on students who are carrying the demands of an intense academic curriculum, along with the requirements of the art-focused forces. Unlike my peers who were able to walk or take a train, uh, subway ride home, Staten Island, students had to carefully plan every minute, often choosing between staying late for extra help or catching the last ferry. Despite these obstacles, Staten Island students persevere,
driven by passion, discipline, and the rare opportunity to part be part of a school like LaGuardia. Their journey is not just across boroughs, it's a testament to their dedication and their resilience. Thank you. Uh, okay, then, uh, that's about Ms. Kunu. So, staff member was, uh, March 3rd, 2025. Staff member was already absent for one one month with a medical leave due to an incident that occurred at the site. Ms. Kunu sent an email on March three stating, in the meantime, please provide the sub lesson plans while
you are out so the classes can be covered appropriately. The staff member returned from his leave on April 21st. That was actually me. I was the staff member. March 12th, 2025. Staff members had a meeting with UFT President Graph and has been active in support and has been active in supporting us. March, March 225. During a morning staff meeting, staff member asked Ms. Nu when they were going to get, uh, gc bc.
Uh, the one they had, uh, they had has been out. She asked, why do we need a guidance counselor? We have a social worker. To date, there is still no guidance counselor at our site. I'm working at this site. So guidance counselor. We don't have guidance counselor. In December, middle of March, uh, a site copy machine was not working because, uh, the lease was not paid by Ms. Kunu. After repeated attempts via email and phone calls were made to Ms. Kunu regarding these issues. For months, Ms.
Kunu didn't pay the lease, which prevented the site from receiving ink. In order to print, she came to the site and staff members asked her when the lease, when the lease would be paid, so that the teachers could print a print out work for the students. Ms. Nu became physically upset and marched into the classroom, uh, with the student's presence, while two teachers was conducting, conducting a lesson. Uh, she proceeded to ask, uh, them about the status of the copy machine. Uh, then she picked up some random papers of one
of the teacher's desk, placed them in the machine and make one blank and white copy, but one black and white copy. She then asked, who said the machine wasn't working and stated to the teachers and other staff members Present? Present, it worked. Sorry. Your time is expired. Okay. Please introduce yourself. Vicki Angelakis. This all took place while the lesson was being conducted and students were in the classroom. She proceeded to tell the teachers that no teacher was allowed to help the ap. And that if a teacher says something, it must be checked and verified.
The teachers were made out to look like liars. She insulted the AP and left teachers feeling as though they were not doing their jobs correctly. Teachers were also made to be embarrassed in front of their students. March 21st, 2025. Ms. Crao sent a vague save the date email for career day with no further communication. April 4th, 2025 site had no power. After several attempts to ask Ms. Crao to, to order April, 2025, Ms. Quato purchased content curriculum without any staff input. Some slides are so small that materials cannot be used without any consultation from
teachers about what is needed, perhaps saving money. Many of suppliers will go unused. April 28th, 2025. During an attendance meeting, Ms. Quato stated to an employee that they do not have any, that, that they do not wait. That they do not any work and do not accomplish anything. When confronted by the employee on the issue, she doubled down and continued to insinuate that the employee doesn't get any work done. April 30th, 2025. Staff went to pep, May 1st, 2025. CSA rep that spoke at PEP on behalf of Ms. Crao showed up at Albany. All but two staff members were present at the pep.
On April 30th, he went into the classroom of those who spoke at the pep. In the beginning of May 25. Ms. Crao changed his schedule of a site. No input, no SBO vote only with 36 days left of school. May 19th, 2025 staff member sent superintendent ESP Brown's email inquiring why she came to the site at 7:30 AM looking for a staff member. Staff member spoke at the pep On four 30, on May 21st, 2025, site supervisors forwarded a career day agenda. Just one hour before staffs were scheduled to leave pre preventing staff from providing accurate
information to parents who had question about presenters. I don't know who's next. The next group of speakers is dus Spies, Sharif Parker, Donna Hayden, Jessica Baker Voor, and Aisha Shepherd. Oh, hi. Um, I'm Donna Hayden. I'm the SPED teacher. Most staff were directed to attend career day, leaving only one staff member per site. Substitutes were high for coverage despite repeated messages from leadership that there was no funding available in the budget.
Additionally, at St. Mark's, a LC two separate buses were provided for general education and IEP students effectively segregating the student population. This kind of poor leadership management highlights a student's disability management cannot put a student's disability on blast. Prospect site was given a small bus That could not accommodate both staff and students, leaving staff and administration to find their own way to the event. Two teachers to take the public transportation.
The, the subway assistant principals had to transport themselves because there was no room on the bus for them. At the Brighton, a LC site three buses were dispatched for career day, yet only one student ultimately attended at Albany. Students were not scheduled to attend a trip or told not to report to school, but several showed up with no staff or instructional coverage. Uh, present parents had to be called to pick up their children May, 2025 and ongoing.
Ms. Seno had initiated one-to-one meetings with staff members, some in person, and some via teams, during which she asked surface level questions, such as the favorite color drink or favorite snack. However, many staff members left these meetings feeling frustrated and dismissed when attempting to elaborate to discuss the actual needs concerns. A professional goal. Staff are cut off. Thank you. The speaker on the right side, Ladies and gentlemen, and the scene members of the panel.
Uh, and, uh, Madam Chancellor in absence. My name is Jessica Baker Vidor, and I'm the president and CEO of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden here in Staten Island. And I stand before you today to lend my support for the sighting of a specialized arts high school at our historic campus. Uh, first and foremost, I want to thank heartily the, uh, on behalf of the staff and the board of directors of Snug Harbor to Chancellor of El Ramos. For her recent visit to Snug Harbor.
Her open mind enthusiasm and support for equal access to the arts education was truly inspiring. And I am particularly grateful for her idea to undertake a feasibility study for this initiative, which underscores her commitment to exploring innovative ways that, uh, we can enhance the educational opportunities for our students. Snuggle Harbor is not just a cultural landmark. It is a beacon of creativity, history, and natural beauty. Our 83 acre campus with its stunning gardens,
historic buildings, and diverse cultural programs, offers an unparalleled environment for nurturing young artists. Here are three compelling reasons why this initiative will be transformative for our community and the future of arts education. One, a unique learning environment. Snug Harbor will provide an immersive experience where students can benefit from the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty that can surround them. Two, community engagement and cultural enrichment. Establishing a specialized arts high school at Snug Harbor will strengthen the bond between the school and the community.
And three, preparing future New York City leaders in the arts. By providing specialized arts education, we can invest in the future of students and the arts. Here in Staten Island, we envision a curriculum designed to cultivate, uh, thank you for my time. That is the end of the speakers who have signed up. Great. Thank you. And thank you for all the speakers who came out and presented information to the panel. Uh, we'll now move to panel member comments. Um, I'll preface that with panel members. Uh, please, uh, be mindful of the time. Are there any panel members? I, i, it,
Is there someone who, who I called and who didn't? I can't hear you, but did, did, is there someone who signed up that wasn't able to speak? I called. Okay. I did call the names, but if you, if you signed up, come to the microphone and introduce yourself. We'll check to see. Did you sign? We'll check against the sign up sheet. Yeah, sure. When some people came in, we did notice. We called earlier, but they weren't in the room. We repeated the call. Yeah. Okay. Please introduce yourself. Your Name. Joshua Mandelbaum. You did? Yeah. Yeah. Just one. Okay. So I'm gonna continue where we left off. Ms. Quin insisted on one word answer to fill out all pre-made Google documents, leaving no room
for meaningful dialogue. Several staff members reported that when they had asked follow-up questions or tried to engage further, she abruptly ended the conversation stating that she had to leave some meetings. Reportedly lasted no more than eight minutes. These seven nine survey was conducted and the results were given out on May 26th. The most recent s staff survey resulted results revealed a significant decline in key categories. The school leadership category dropped by 30, dropped to 39% this year, compared to the 80% in 2024. And the 88% in 2023. Yeah.
Similarly, Staff leadership relationships category fell to 37% compared to the 70, 73% in 2024. And 89% in 2023. Additionally, 20% of the staff responded favorably to the question, how optimistic are you that the school will improve in the future? These sharp declines were reported, reported by Brooklyn West. I, um, Brooklyn West, Staten Island, a LC staff, and aligned to the appointment of IO Plano. This is not dissatisfaction. This is an institutional failure.
UFK President, president Michael McGrew has been supportive of the staff of the Brooklyn West, Staten Island, a LC on March 12th. We met with him directly. He has been actively advocating for transparency and proper administration process within the Department of Education ever since. We continue to experience a lack of clarity from the superintendent Glen Glen Esperan. And we're calling out for accountability. We've gone two years with stable leadership. Our staff and students deserve better. We deserve leadership that is transparent, fair, and responsive to our community needs
of our, of our students. Our students are resilient. Our staff is committed, but we are being failed by the very system charged with leading us. We are asking, no, we're asking that. We're demanding that this is the end. Thank you. Submit that. Do you need me to say my name or? Yes, please. Uh, ol GoodSky not on here, but, okay. Okay. You, you, you had signed up 'cause you're not on the signup sheet. I'm sorry. Did did you sign up prior? Yes. Okay. Not on here, but please speak. Okay. Uh, I'm a traveling, uh, speech therapist. I traveled to all the five sites, uh, in the two boroughs,
Staten Island and Brooklyn. Um, I am entitled to track, uh, and I just actually today got paid for track that I was due from December, January, February. Um, I've never had to file grievances as many as I have this year. And, uh, it's, uh, disappointing to, to feel this way that I have to file grievances in regards to my schedule being changed more than half a year in to the schedule into the year. And, um, being part of sites where schedules are being changed when the
schools are almost over. Thank you. Thank you. Hi, I'm Jeny. Or Jennifer, you might have it down as this is my, um, may I start speaking? No, No. I, I keep doing It's a precedent. It's just let speak. We'll just figure out why the system isn't catching. You may speak. Thank you. This is my, um, second pep that I've come to. This is the third that the u uh, our UFT staff members have come to. Uh, this, the people here behind me and the ones that showed up
to the past two have traveled from Long Island, Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn. Uh, last pep as you maybe remember, we didn't leave there until about 1145 at night, uh, which was a long day for some of us who have children at home, families from leaving the home at six 30 in the morning. So, the fact that we are here yet again should speak volumes to everyone up here on the panel. Um, we don't, this does not come as something fun for us. Uh, we are not here because we, we just feel like doing it for, um, giggles.
We are here because it is important. Um, it is important for our students that we service the parents that we service for our own wellbeings. Um, me personally, at home, my children are like, ma, like you are not the same person anymore. Um, because it has taken a toll on me. Uh, it takes a toll on me as professional and it takes a toll on me as a human being. Um, I'm here because I need to support my staff members and they're here 'cause they're supporting us. Uh, this is almost eight months of this. Um, we, we implore the people from Tweed Administration
to come back and speak to us, come around to the sites, hear our voices. We're not lying. We're telling the truth. We have so much to say just that no one wants to hear us. They came one time and promise us and access for a 30 day grace period. They never came back. Why not? You came once. Why not come twice now? Come three times. We are here again. And we're going to continue to do it until we finally get the leadership that we deserve. Because we are just deserving people. We're deserving educators.
And if we can't educate our kids because we don't have the right mind, how are we supposed to do that? Helping other people's children. Thank you. Have a good night. Okay. That was the final, uh, speaker public, uh, comment speaker. We'll now move to panel member comments. Are there any panel members who wish to offer comment about Panel of Shepherd, Pam Malai? Uh, did I see some hands over here also? Okay. Um, panel. She Thank you, chair Faulkner. Um, I wanted to just, uh,
just start my comments tonight. Um, with just a profound appreciation of our, uh, veterans and service members who have died in service of our nation. Um, I had a video presentation, but apparently there's a problem queuing it up. But, um, uh, but I I, I really do want to, uh, just say that, um, I spent Monday, uh,
at Cypress Hills National Cemetery. Um, as a veteran of the United States Navy. Veterans are all over our community, and they are, if we talk about embedded service, right? Like, like we are everywhere. And, uh, many of us, uh, we, we give that service, we do it freely, and we do it because, uh, we love our homes and we love our families, and we love our communities. And I just wanted to, uh, make sure
that, uh, Memorial Day is honored and we honor, um, those who have, uh, fallen in service in my lifetime. Um, there have been 65,000 Americans who have died in combat and another 30,000 or so, uh, who have taken their own lives and suicides, um, uh, as a result of this service. And I say that because we have to do more
to protect our veterans, and we have to do more to protect their families. And if that translates itself into the work we do here as a school board, um, you know, none of us would question, you know, because I hear it as a veteran all the time. Thank you for your service. Thank you for what you contribute. Thank you for what you do. Um, but you know, if we translate that into this space, I would say that there are a series of noble professions or,
or some noble professions like educators, teachers, I don't think we could ever pay them enough for the work that they do. Doctors, nurses, right? Like the people that keep us safe, the people that keep us healthy, people that educate our children. We can, it's a, it's, it's a, a debt that we can never pay. And, um, I honor our teachers. I I, I've heard you and, um, you know, I, you know, hope that in all of this, you showing up, um,
that the DOE uh, is responsive to your issues and your concerns. Um, so I just, I just want to end there because there's a lot going on, right? Um, and the last thing I do want to say last thing. Um, you know, it is not just heartbreaking, but infuriating that we can have, um, ice literally abduct one of our students. And, um, you know, people just going with they lives
like we are talking about, you know, a member of our community, in my community, right? And, you know, we need to be outraged. It is, it, it it is absolutely unacceptable, um, for this system to just, um, target our children like that. And, um, I, uh, do intend on being at that, uh, on the steps of Tweed tomorrow. And, you know, I would urge as many of us that can make it to be on the steps of Tweed tomorrow to, to just say out loud that it is unacceptable.
And we need to come around, uh, our children and protect them, um, when there is a part of our society, uh, that seems bent on, uh, disappearing them. So, thank you Chair Faulkner. And now you Yeah, and I, and I just wanna say that I, you know, I had a chance to see they're working. I'm looking over there 'cause they're working on trying to queue up this video. Um, I did have a chance to see it, and it's a very powerful, uh, uh, message and a very powerful, uh, video in a very, a pro to memorial day. And as I was watching, and then in light of the fact
of this, uh, kidnapping by the f by of this, of this young child, um, many of our veterans fought yes in wars to, to preserve our freedom so that these kinds of things wouldn't happen. And here we see in a country where, um, a child can be taken away, um, you know, by the federal government, it just, it, it, it it really is, uh, unbelievable. So hopefully, uh, we'll get a chance. People will get a chance to view the, the video. Um, it's very well produced and it causes you to, to really think, you know, and,
and, uh, and, and the things that we have to really, whatever our, our differences are that these are some things that we should all just come together and, uh, and speak strongly and speak with strong voice on those things. Um, any pro any, I'm looking over, okay. Um, technology, um, that we're gonna go around. I noted, um, Panama, did you wanna Thank you, chair? Um, I'd like to follow up on your comments and on the comments from Panel Member Shepherd, um, and mention our appreciation to the Chancellor
for her public comments on the abduction and incarceration of a New York City public school student earlier this week. And very glad to hear about the rally at Tweet tomorrow as well. Um, this was an action by the federal government, but there are things that our city could be doing that we're not doing to protect students like this. And this is a sickening example of the disregard at City Hall for our immigrant neighbors, relatives, friends, students, workers, this student did everything he was supposed
to do when he arrived in the United States. He followed all the rules. He applied for asylum and for special immigrant juvenile status, which given his traumatic history, he really had a good chance of getting he enrolled in high school when he didn't even need to. So he could go to college and make a better life for himself, something school would allow him to do. This student showed up to court as required and was arrested by ICE outside the very courthouse where he went for his immigration appointment. He was entrapped by ice because his case was dismissed
and he had no legal representation with him in the courtroom to contest that dismissal, which left him vulnerable to being removed and to mandatory detention. The trickery that ICE is using has continued as he's been moved around the country to prevent him to have access to legal assistance. And the mayor's response, essentially washing his hands of the situation, refusing to advocate for the return of this young New Yorker is shameful.
And it, and it points to exactly why the city must invest in immigration legal services. So no young person has to show up to immigration court alone. This young man had no legal representation because of holes in the mayor's executive budget for programs like iCare and Action NYC, that ensure vulnerable immigrant children and youth have access to legal services as ICE engages in other forms of trickery to meet their quotas, such as the wellness checks for immigrant children that they are doing around the country.
It is more important now than ever that children do not face immigration proceedings that could result in deportation alone to countries from which they have escaped horrible circumstances. Funding should be allocated now to restore action NYC in schools and hospitals and libraries to make sure kids have a way to connect with the legal assistance they may need. And so that this type of situation will not happen in our city again. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, who was next in that list? I, I didn't, are there any other panel members? Okay.
Any other panel members on this side of the room? Do you have panel member Meade? Um, I support everything who about, um, four. So I like to just add also that are also supporting, uh, new, uh, art, uh, school in Staten Island as well. Uh, media and entertainment industry school in Manhattan. Also with cooperation with broadcasters, because this is demanding market and I, I think our students need to be, um, uh, involved in this, uh, art.
Everything is, everything we see here around this is part of the design and art. And, uh, second thing, I, I have a very, uh, kind request for, uh, uh, the public counselor. Uh, can I ask that, uh, uh, face Lies could ask, uh, could contact with CC members. 'cause this is the end of financial year. Many of members don't have reimbursement yet to support them, fulfill documentation and then it materials they need because they work, don't looking at that. But at the end, they, you know, going
with out reimbursement. So please, if you could look, uh, and, and ask, um, uh, uh, license, uh, to CCCs, to, to, to check the situation thing. Thank you, ano. Thank you, chair. I just wanted to address, uh, two issues really quickly to uplift our members from Staten Island and the request for a, a School for Performing Arts. I, uh, I reached out to my friend, Senator Jessica Ella, spent and said, do you support this? And her response was OFC, of course. And, uh, so uplifting that. The, um, the other thing I wanted to address is a pending
potential issue for us and a problem for us. Um, when we come into the schools, we see our school safety officers, local 2 37 members, uh, greeting us when we leave at night there, the last ones there. And, um, as I've been visiting schools, I've noticed that a lot of times when there's a break, there's either cafeteria workers or other, other, um, non-school safety employees at the, at the, at the desks. This is a potential liability for us. Um, we need to really, I don't want to, I know I've been pegged the security member of the board,
but, um, this is an important issue because it could potentially be a liability for us as a board, um, and a problem, um, if something would ever happen while these desks are being manned, while these school safety officers take their breaks that they need, we need more school safety officers. Uh, period. Thank you. I see a lot of, I don't know what we making progress. Somebody Put it on the school website. I Don't leave website. But what do we, I don't wanna adjourn the meeting here,
knowing what's happening. Meeting, Is it not gonna play? Okay. Check. Make the, the video available on the website leave. Um, yeah. Panel member, vice chair green. Yeah. Uh, greetings. Um, I, I wanna just speak directly to the group that, uh, we heard coming from the A LC, all of the members that came to speak. We appreciate hearing from you and, um, just know that we're gonna follow up, even though this is something that our panel doesn't particularly vote on, or particularly direct, but we are going to make sure that we, we get
to you and hear you. So I will be looking for you. I see. I know that the, um, I believe the UFT person is there. Okay. I, I will be looking for you after this meeting. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Yeah, I think I, I think that's important that the panel, um, wants to hear the comments. Although we don't have any direct authority, um, it's important for us to hear the comments that they've been made and that, you know, we will do a follow up. Um, I, I, I don't feel optimistic that we're gonna be able to show this video. Perhaps we can make some other arrangement, um, for the public to get a chance to see the video.
Is, is that, is, I see everybody still working, so I don't, I'm reluctant to, uh, move to the final step here without getting a, say it again. Okay. We're, we're close here? Yes. Can ro I wasn't gonna speak, um, but I, I think it's important to hear you. I'm close. I, I could project, but it's not close. Alright. All right. How about now? Now did you, now I, Yeah. Yeah. I don't know if I speak louder. Is that better? Can y'all hear me From the microphone A little bit closer to you? We're so very close now. Okay. We are best friends.
Fantastic. So, I, I wasn't gonna speak, oh God, that was really loud. I wasn't gonna speak, but, um, it's important that, that I do. Um, we in the Bronx have had a really, really, really, really, really difficult year. A really difficult week, a really difficult month. Um, so, uh, I'm gonna read what I wrote because I feel too much. Um, this past year, the Bronx has born deep wounds, wounds that speak not just to the violence in our streets, but to the cracks in our systems, our schools, and our society. We mourn Yvette Jeffrey, a young lady taken from us
by a bullet to the head across the street from a school, another life lost in a cycle that must end. We remember Dylan, a student who was tricked, detained, and taken by ice, torn from his school, his friends, his home. We honor the memory of Kiara Te, whose life we lost a year ago, four days after Eva was shot. And so, all the others that we've seen, too many names, too many candles, too many tears. Our schools have become more than just places of learning. They've become battlegrounds against trauma, poverty,
underfunding, and fear. Teachers are not just educators. They are mentors, counselors, protectors, and our students who should be dreaming are instead surviving. But in the Bronx, we know how to turn pain into purpose. We know struggle all too well, and we know strength. The grief we carry can and must be fueled for change. We must invest in our schools, protect our children from violence and deportation, and demand policies that put humanity before politics. As a community, we must listen to one another,
support one another, and rise together as a school board. We must prioritize safety, mental health, equity, and inclusion for all. And as world citizens and as human beings, we must decide that no child should have to live in fear. Let us be a voice, the voice that says, we will not forget, we will not give up, and we will build something together better. Thank you. Yeah. Thank, yeah. Thank you for that panel member. Um, I think it was last Friday that we had the meeting when I'm, I'm losing the dates where we, uh, and,
and I thank the Chancellor and the, and the Bronx Borough president. There was a meeting convened of all the community. Say it again, Friday, May 23. Yeah. All the community stakeholders to really listen and come up with some specific recommendations in terms of, uh, policy initiatives. Um, you know, the chancellor played a very active role in that meeting. And, and, and it was really a list of recomme. I left there hopeful, but there's, there was a list of recommendations that were made, um, that, um, there and a commitment to follow up. Um, so, so, you know, I I kind of left that meeting saying
that there, there is a real opportunity to put some things in place that will actually, um, create some change. And I know that you were, you were in attendance at Panel Member Shepherd was there, and I think that, um, something good will come out of that. I'm, I'm optimistic that we will create something out of that process. Yes. I, in, in all fairness, and I felt the same way, but I was a parent on the campus for seven years mm-hmm. And we already asked for all the things. Mm-hmm. And, and we can't put something in place and then remove it at the end of the school year.
And we didn't do anything to change the community. So that police car that we had on union and home should never be taken away till we rectify the issues in the community. There are challenges, there's no doubt that there are challenges, but, um, I think the idea is that we actually, um, have made a start. And I, and I think we, I actually had this conversation that there's a commitment to make sure that this isn't like the ordinary. We have a meeting, we express our outrage, and then nothing happens. And so I think everybody's kind of accepted that challenge. So I'm, I'm optimistic that that's gonna happen.
Um, I don't think, yeah, we got it. We got it. Okay. Okay. Okay. Yeah, Before it changes, it's mine. Because one thing we have to go around to the other If panel, I guess if panel members wanna move to the front to, to see it, you're welcome to do so. Panel, panel, do you wanna kind of introduce, I know you have, do you wanna speak also? One, two, you know, you know, we have a suggestion. What I'm, what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna adjourn the meeting, um, and allow, we have two panel members who wish to speak. Let me, after these panel members complete their
presentation, we'll adjourn the meeting, and then we can all come and sit in the audience and have an opportunity to view the video video. So, who, who is next panel member? Um, Adriana, How there, good evening. Nope. Is it working? Hello Again. A little bit louder. I can't, Good evening. Nope. No, it takes time to wake up. We just switched to a, Okay. Good evening, Adriana. She her here for Queen CECs. I want to thank the Chancellor for her prompt public response. Uh, I appreciate how she continues to leverage social media
for direct communication, and I look forward to that continuing. Um, in the near future, if or when this happens, again, I hope that the official response from New York City Public Schools Central office also provides information to principals, parent coordinators, and FLCs as our FA family leadership coordinators, um, uh, CEC members, et cetera, so that parents are aware instead of being scared. Uh, I look forward to seeing all of you tomorrow at Tweed, it's at 5:00 PM on the steps. We cannot allow our children to be abducted off of the street.
We cannot allow it even once. We must fight back in every way that we can because the children of New York City have to be protected everywhere they go and everywhere that they are. We must also demand Dylan's return. The chil thank you. The children are watching and they will hold us accountable. Thank you. Good evening. Thank you. Member Alicia, um, Hassan, Thank you, chair Faulkner. Uh, thank you to all the panel members. And, uh, I wanna especially recognize both the chancellor and the deputy Chancellor, Emma Vara, uh, who's been very responsive and, and,
and taking all the information that we get from community and advocates related to, uh, students who may not be, uh, fully documented or, or might be, but are facing issues with relate relation to sort of federal law enforcement, non-local law enforcement. It's been, uh, a terrible time under this federal administration. And, and I, I, I will always publicly say that we could really use stronger representation in City Hall standing up for everyone who lives in the city. Um, I, I wanna recognize
that our schools are doing an amazing job. Um, the Internationals network, uh, is the, the network that hosts, uh, Ellis, uh, preparatory Academy. Uh, the people there are heartbroken including, uh, the guidance counselor for Dylan. And, uh, in a way that you would expect from a family. And the student has only been, Dylan has only been in the school for less than a year. Uh, Ellis Intern Preparatory Academy, specifically for children in this country for less than one year for English language learners. And that school is doing an amazing job. Um, I, I had the chance to speak with many people, uh,
related to this case, uh, as far back as Wednesday morning. And, uh, I was sitting in tweet and I'm like, I don't know what to do, right? They said, go to the courthouse. And by the time I got to two 90 Broadway, it was already all over. My mic fell apart. Sorry. Um, but we are in a situation where parts of New York City are, are not safe for people. A much larger number of people than you might imagine, right? We have so many families of mixed, uh, immigration status that are calling teachers, calling, uh, family, uh, coordinators in schools,
parent coordinators asking if it's safe to go outside. This is not a tenable situation. It cannot last four years. Uh, we need, we need support from our federal, um, representatives, uh, to really call out, uh, both, uh, U-S-C-I-S and ice, and to have them stop engaging in this bad faith behavior. These people, especially Dylan's family, and, and even if it wasn't, but they have done everything perfectly. They live in permanent housing, they're out of the shelter system working multiple jobs, both mom and and eldest son, uh, where, uh, Dylan is taking care of younger siblings and,
and taking care of friends in his school, feeding them from his own, uh, lunchbox. And, and, and, and even still, we told, we advised people to go to their court hearing. And because he was there without legal representation, he ended up, uh, uh, in the situation where he was temporarily not protected by immigration laws. He has a right within 30 days to file an appeal to whatever happened in that court. But ICE didn't care. And in inside the building, uh, detained him and, and essentially moved him to Texas with, on the same day we've been tracking him.
He has been in Texas, he's been in Louisiana. He's been back in New Jersey. He is currently, I believe, in Pennsylvania. But the lawyers are unable to get ahold of him because it takes time when a, uh, when a detainees is moved to actually be able to be able to contact them. This needs to stop, um, uh, heartened to see, uh, Congressman Richard Torres put out a letter to find out where, uh, where he is and figure out how we can get him back to his family, back to his school community, and back into the legal process from, from which he was, uh, ripped out of. Uh, it's, it's unjust, and please show up tomorrow.
Uh, I'll be a tweed and I wanna thank the New York Immigration Coalition for putting together the, the event. And we have so many supporters, including the UFT, and, and all of the pep members will show up, and those who can't show up send a statement. And we, we, we'll get it in the press release. Uh, but, uh, my heart is broken. Uh, it's hard to sleep. Uh, so many people are helping us, and they're all in that same situation. Um, we, we have to stop this. Thank you so much. Thank you for your comments. Um, so with that, that is the final comment. And those of you who may wish to remain afterwards,
I think we will be able to show the video. But let me just, uh, thank everyone for being here tonight. It was a really lengthy agenda. I think we accomplished, uh, quite a bit. Our next meeting of the panel for education policy will take place in the Bronx at Christopher Columbus High School on the, uh, June 18th. So we hope, um, it's a long trip from Staten Island, but we certainly welcome you to be there. And, uh, with that, there, there's no other business before the panel. This meeting is adjourned. Yeah. People, if you, you, if folks wanna see the movie, you need to go to the front. So this is why I'm here to
honor the ones who fallen as a veteran, I know all too well that the next battle could be Our last. And the ones who are in the ground here at Cypress Hills National Cemetery and in cemeteries all over this country and in cemeteries around the world, understood that too. They understood that the defense
of this nation may require their sacrifice. And it's not lost on me how on this day, when many people see this as an opportunity to have a day off from school, enjoy a good cookout, spend time with family and friends that many just don't understand what the true meaning of today is.