School District 21’s Community Education Council (CEC) has finally elected a president.
Yoketing Eng, who held the presidency until his term expired this summer, won the seat at last week’s CEC meeting, held at I.S. 303, 501 West Avenue.
The CEC, which advocates for parents and public schools in Coney Island and Bensonhurst, has been without a leader since the summer because previous elections failed to garner the six votes necessary to declare a victor.
Two elections were held during the recent CEC meeting before Eng was declared the winner.
During the first election, neither Eng nor his challenger, Dionne Hastings, received six votes.
With the prospect of lacking a president for another month, one CEC member decided to take action.
“We can’t go any further with this being unresolved,” said Julius Bowens, the CEC’s second vice president. “I’m going to change my vote for Eng so we can move on. We have to move on.”
Bowens’ announcement received applause from audience members.
A revote resulted in the six votes Eng needed for a win.
Celebrating, he said, “Thank you my fellow CEC members for your support.”
Eng also thanked Hastings for vying for the presidency, saying, “She embodies the fighting spirit of a District 21 parent.”
