As Mayor Eric Adams approaches the end of his term, tension grows within the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP), which is intended to serve as a governing body under mayoral control of the city’s schools. Recent developments indicate that the PEP has overstepped its boundaries, particularly concerning the negotiation of long-term contracts for school bus services intended for public schoolchildren.
Last week, the PEP declined to approve any of the new long-term school bus contracts negotiated by the Mayor’s office, opting instead to provisionally extend existing contracts for just one month. This decision appears to be a strategic maneuver aimed at influencing the incoming administration following the upcoming mayoral election, potentially allowing special interests to override the needs of students.
The contracts proposed by the Mayor are crucial for securing financing that would support the transition of school bus fleets towards electrification, aligning with state law, and ensuring that transportation services are modernized and efficient for students. However, the PEP’s current stance seems to prioritize preserving seniority rights for bus drivers, which have been deemed an illegal burden on costs in previous rulings, over securing the best outcomes for student transportation.
This situation raises concerns about the future oversight of the school system, particularly under a new administration led by Zohran Mamdani. Observers fear that if the PEP continues on its current path, it could undermine effective governance without formally relinquishing control of the schools, allowing special interests to take precedence over educational needs.
As voters head to the polls, the implications of these developments become increasingly significant, highlighting the necessity for informed decision-making concerning the future of educational governance in the city.