Mayor Mamdani appointed 13 new members to the Panel for Educational Policy this past Tuesday, according to a press release from the mayor's office. Mamdani has now appointed the maximum which state law permits – a majority of the 24 total members on the panel.
The panel is responsible for making decisions about school policies, closures and contracts across New York City’s nearly 1,600 public schools serving more than 900,000 children.
“Public Schools belong to New Yorkers, and the families, students, and educators who make them what they are deserve a real voice in the decisions that shape them,” said Mayor Mamdani. His appointees replace seats formerly held by representatives of Mayor Adams’ administration.
The mayor previously called for an end to mayoral control over the public school system, reported Chalkbeat. His appointments this week, however, give him authority over decisions made going forward.
“Meaningful collaboration with the Panel strengthens transparency, accountability, and our shared commitment to putting children first,” said Chancellor Kamar Samuels of New York City Public Schools.
The new appointees include a budget and finance worker for the MTA, an educational advocate an establisher of after-school programs, a former PTA president, strategic director at NYU Steinhardt and a chief impact officer at the Forum for Youth Investment. New appointees also include former and current public school parents.
