Mamdani appoints 13 new members to NYC public schools governing board

July 29, 2026 - 21:06

Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed 13 new members to the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) for New York City public schools on Tuesday, reshaping the board that oversees major decisions for the nation's largest school system. The appointments fill vacancies across all five boroughs, with the new members set to begin their terms immediately.

The PEP is the city's public school governing body, responsible for approving contracts, school closures, charter school co-locations, and changes to academic policy. The mayor holds a majority of appointments, while each borough president selects two members. The new slate includes parents, educators, and community advocates, reflecting a push for more direct family input in decision-making.

Among the appointees are a former middle school principal from Queens, a parent organizer from Brooklyn, and a special education attorney from Manhattan. Mamdani stated that the group brings "lived experience and professional expertise" to a board that has faced criticism for being too distant from classroom realities.

The appointments come as the city grapples with declining enrollment, budget shortfalls, and ongoing debates over school diversity and special education services. The new PEP members will also oversee the implementation of a revised literacy curriculum and a expansion of community schools. Critics have questioned whether the board will have enough independence from the mayor's office to challenge administration policies, but Mamdani emphasized that the appointees were chosen for their willingness to ask hard questions. The first full meeting of the newly constituted panel is scheduled for next month.