Mayor Eric Adams’ control of the city’s public school system faces renewal in Albany this legislative session, but before then, the state is conducting a series of hearings for the public to weigh in on the decision.

The most recent of the five hearings was held in Manhattan Thursday night, with state education officials seeking input on how effective the current system is.

“The state education department will gather feedback from the public including students, parents, teachers, school administrators and staff and individuals with experience and expertise in education policy and school governance,” said New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa.

What You Need To Know

  • The state is conducting a series of hearings for the public to weigh in on, before potentially renewing mayoral control of New York City public schools

  • During a hearing, feedback from teachers, parents, and advocates was clear, with one attendee saying, “mayoral control is not working”

  • Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed extending mayoral control for four years as part of her state budget, which raised concerns among some lawmakers

  • Thursday's gathering was the fourth of five hearings, with the final one scheduled for Jan. 29 on Staten Island

During a hearing, feedback from teachers, parents, and advocates was clear. One attendee said, "It is my opinion that the current version of mayoral control is not working to benefit all students and must be re-evaluated to ensure a better system of checks and balances."

While few speakers advocated returning the city to a school board system that pre-dated mayoral control, which began in 2002, most called for reforms to make the mayoral control system more democratic. Some proposals included changing the makeup of the Panel for Educational Policy, which votes on contracts and some school regulations, and has many of its members appointed by the mayor.

"Because of the number of PEP members appointed by the mayor, this is essentially a stamp of approval for whatever the mayor decides,” the attendee said.

Meanwhile, a civics teacher questioned the concentration of power, saying, "How do I explain to my students that power and decision-making within our public school system lie solely with one elected official, our mayor?"

However, at least one person, a former principal and teacher, praised the current system, saying, "I know something about how to run a school properly; the most important ingredient is accountability. That's what mayoral control offers."

Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed extending mayoral control for four years as part of her state budget, which raised concerns among some lawmakers, who argue it should be considered separately, and not until the state education department’s report is finished.

“You see how many of us are eager to detail all the ways our system could be improved. But the governor already announced her intentions to renew mayoral control. So again, we’re getting the message that what we have to say isn’t important,” an attendee said at the public hearing.

“It is clear that an overwhelming majority of these testimonies are asking for a democratic community driven process and if that’s not fulfilled then I don’t know why we’re here,” another said.

The final hearing is scheduled for Jan. 29 on Staten Island.