(New York – June 16, 2025) New York City volunteer, parent-run education advocacy group, PLACE NYC, demonstrates citywide support with the strong performance of its endorsed candidates in the 2025 Citywide and Community Education Council (CEC) elections. The majority of PLACE NYC endorsed candidates won seats and will make up 31% of all elected council seats in New York City’s version of school boards. PLACE NYC candidates dominated some of the largest school districts like D3 (UWS), D20 (S. Brooklyn) and D26 (NE Queens) and were the highest vote getters on sixteen councils including CEC2, CEC3, CEC20, CEC26, and CCELL.
“It’s an honor to have received the most votes for an individual candidate in the entire city. I believe this a reflection of parents’ desire for rigorous, quality education for all kids throughout the city, something I have been fighting for over the past two years. I’m looking forward to continuing that fight and working with DOE leadership, my fellow CEC members and the many parents we serve,” said Craig Slutzkin, current CEC2 president and PLACE NYC leader.
“PLACE NYC congratulates all candidates on being elected to their respective Councils to serve for the upcoming term. The 112 elected parents PLACE endorsed reflect the true diversity of New York City public schools, and will help build and protect the rigorous academics and merit-based accelerated education programs so many families want in our schools,” said Yiatin Chu, co-president of PLACE NYC.
Despite New York City Public Schools’ (NYCPS) unconscionable mismanagement of this election and various politicians, PACs, and outside groups who attempted to put their thumbs on the scale, PLACE NYC’s mission for rigorous education clearly resonated with parents, who have been fleeing NYCPS in search of more challenging educational opportunities.
Re-elected CCHS president and PLACE leader Deborah Kross says “I am grateful to Bronx High Schools families who gave me a clear mandate to continue the important work we have done on CCHS to improve the quality schools across NYC. All boroughs and districts deserve access to academically challenging programs and schools that prepare our children for the future”.
On the eve of an important primary and with the Mayoral election coming up in November, these elected parent leaders will spend the majority of their term working with a new Chancellor. Given the challenges facing NYCPS in terms of enrollment trends, funding, absenteeism and deteriorating academics, PLACE NYC is hopeful this new Chancellor will measure the gravity of the situation and make a sincere effort to engage and work with these elected parent leaders.