The election of the chairperson was a focal point of the meeting. Gregory Faulkner was nominated and received a majority of votes, defeating Tom Shepherd with a tally of 12 to 5. In his statement, he reflected on his previous year of service and the collaborative efforts that marked his tenure. Shepherd, who highlighted his unique position and the importance of community representation, also ran for the vice chair position but was defeated by Angela Green.

Chancellor David C. Banks addressed the panel, welcoming new members and providing updates on educational initiatives. He noted the successful engagement of 110,000 students in summer programming and stressed the need for more state funding, especially to support students in temporary housing and those affected by class size regulations. Banks announced the creation of a new division focusing on inclusive and accessible learning, led by Christina Fody, and the return of Melissa Ramos as Deputy Chancellor for family and community engagement. He also praised Dr. Kara Ahmed for her leadership in early childhood education and the implementation of a uniform curriculum across early childhood programs.

The Contracts Committee, led by Chair Maisha Sapp, presented 18 contract items for approval. These included the MyLibraryNYC contract, which fosters partnerships between public libraries and the Department of Education. Panel members highlighted the importance of accessible libraries and developmentally appropriate materials for all students. Comptroller Lander noted a decrease in the number of three-year-old applicants waiting for school seats and emphasized the need for additional funding for special education preschool seats. The contract items passed with a majority vote.

Discussions also centered around amendments to Chancellor’s Regulations A-411 and A-755, which address the procedures surrounding the removal of students by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and interactions with police and emergency personnel in schools. Nelson Maher, an attorney from Bronx Legal Services, expressed satisfaction with the updates, which were influenced by a lawsuit regarding improper student removals. However, concerns were raised about the timing of the implementation and the need for broader community engagement. Panel members debated the urgency of updating the regulations versus the importance of incorporating feedback from educational councils and other stakeholders.

Public comments highlighted various concerns, including school transportation, lunch quality, air conditioning in schools, and the implementation of new curricula. A student named Lila Torres shared her frustrations over transportation inequities, while Theresa Catone raised questions about the flexibility and resource challenges of the new creative curriculum for early childhood programs. Gia Lee, a special education teacher, emphasized the need for culturally responsive teaching and the recognition of successful existing programs.

The panel also discussed the importance of ensuring equitable access to education, particularly for non-English speaking families. A representative acknowledged issues with support at Tweed headquarters and highlighted efforts to equip school safety agents with translation applications to eliminate barriers. The need for improved communication and support for families during school enrollment processes was emphasized.

Further discussions addressed the necessity of updating the Foundation Aid formula to better support students, including those who are English language learners, have disabilities, or live in poverty. The panel called for free public transportation for students, including ferry services, to ensure equitable access to education.