Whereas during the pandemic, the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) conducted their meetings online and permitted people viewing online to sign up and speak during the public comment period; and, 

Whereas the PEP, at its September 27, 2023 meeting, indicated that only people who had signed up to speak and were in person at the meeting would be able to speak during the public comment period; and, 

Whereas the PEP scheduled the September 27th meeting on the same evening as parent-teacher conferences for high schools, K-12 schools and 6-12 schools, essentially excluding those parents and staff from participating in the meeting; and, 

Whereas, during the meeting, the Mayoral appointee chairing the meeting limited the PEP members from speaking more than 2 ½ minutes, making it impossible for them to have time to respond to the issues that had been raised by the public; and 

Whereas, the fourth pillar of the Chancellor’s Four Pillars for Building Trust in NYC Public Schools is “engaging families to be our true partners;” be it therefore 

Resolved that the UFT continues to support parents and community in their desire to advocate for their young people’s fair and just education in New York City’s public schools; and 

Resolved, that the UFT will call on Mayor Adams and Chancellor Banks to reinstate the ability for people to speak during the PEP’s public comment whether they are participating in the meeting online or in person; and 

Resolved that the UFT will call on the Mayor and Chancellor to ensure that PEP meeting dates are not scheduled at the same time as parent teacher conferences, and be it further 

Resolved that the UFT will call on the Mayor and Chancellor to allow the voices of the parent leaders on the PEP without restricting members of the PEP with time limits.