April 22, 2009Esteemed School Governance Task Force Members:As many of you know, I have compiled a report on my findings and recommendations for the futuredirection of the New York City school governance system. To this end, I am asking all task forcemembers to develop your own set of recommendations and to submit them to me as soon as possible.I plan to integrate these recommendations into a comprehensive final report, endorsed by allmembers of the task force. It is my hope that the findings from the task force hearings will providethe Senate Majority with the knowledge and resources necessary to develop a plan for meaningfulreform when the School Governance Act of 2002 expires this June.Yesterday, I circulated a copy of my report to most of the members of the Task Force and manymembers of the Education Committee. Please contact my office if you have not received a copy of this report. Additionally, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.I look forward to your recommendations and to engaging in a thoughtful discourse throughout thecoming weeks.Sincerely,Martin Malave Dilancc: Senator SmithAngelo AponteShelley MayerMichael Kink

The New York State Senate Democratic Majority

Task Force on New YorkCity School Governance

Senator Martin Malavé Dilan

Co-Chair

April 20, 2009Honorable Malcolm SmithPresident Pro Tempore & Majority LeaderNew York State Senate909 Legislative Office BuildingAlbany, New York 12247Dear Senator Smith:On behalf of the Democratic Majority Task Force on School Governance, it is mypleasure to present to you the following report, outlining the state of New York CitySchool Governance since the inception of Mayoral Control, and offeringrecommendations for reform.This report is the culmination of seven hearings held by task force membersthroughout the City of New York in an effort to comprehend the state of the currentsystem by receiving testimony from the individuals who have the greatest stake in thesystem

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parents, teachers, school administrators, union representatives, and interestgroups. It is clear from the testimony that while mayoral control has brought aboutsome encouraging changes, the system is still in need of significant improvements.It is my hope that the expiration of the current law will create an opportunity formeaningful reform, and that the recommendations herein will be incorporated into aninnovative school governance system which allows all stakeholders to play an equallysignificant role in crafting the direction of individual schools and the system as awhole. I look forward to a thought provoking discussion in the coming weeks.Sincerely,Martin Malavé Dilan