District 21’s Community Education Council (CEC) has a new member – a parent who was rejected from the group just a few months ago.
Stuart Handman, who has two children in public schools, applied for a vacant seat on the CEC earlier this year but was turned down after a lengthy interview during the group’s monthly public meeting.
Undeterred, Handman applied for one of the two spots appointed by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. At the CEC’s meeting last week, the council voted to approve the appointment.
“I don’t know why they didn’t approve me [initially],” Handman told this paper. “I know that they didn’t really know me.”
“I felt maybe the second time around they would get to know me more,” he added. “I’ve attended a few meetings. They got to known me a little.”
Members of the CEC seem to have put the turmoil behind them.
“He’s doing great,” said CEC President Yoketing Eng. “He is helping a lot.”
Several vacancies remain on the CEC.
“We still need three more parents,” Eng explained. “There is no deadline” to apply.
To obtain an application, contact the CEC at 718-714-2503 or email CEC21@schools.nyc.gov.
CEC spots are not open to parents currently serving on a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) or School Leadership Team (SLT).
As CEC members, parents advocate for public schools in Coney Island and Bensonhurst.
