CEC 28 meeting lacks quorum; council elections postponed to Aug. 7

Community Education Council (CEC) 28 did not reach the in-person quorum required by its bylaws at its most recent meeting, and the council’s planned officer elections were tabled until the next meeting on Aug. 7. President Quentin Mezzetin announced that seven in-person members were required under the bylaws but only six were present and one expected member was unable to complete an oath of office, so “we did not make quorum ... we will have to table the elections for tonight and push those till our next meeting,” Mezzetin said.

Why it matters: The postponement delays formal leadership appointments and any business that requires an elected slate or the council’s established officers. Mezzetin said the council will attempt to hold elections at its next scheduled meeting, which he set for Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m.; the session will be hybrid and meeting links will be distributed by email.

Although no formal elections were held, the meeting proceeded with brief remarks and introductions. Superintendent Dr. Blake offered a welcome to new members and emphasized collaboration with the council. Sonia (identified in the meeting as the council’s FLC) and Bruce, the UFT representative, also congratulated the newly elected members and expressed interest in continuing partnerships with the council.

Newly elected council members introduced themselves by name and, where stated, their connections to District 28 schools: Amino Vermaem (parent; works in health care IT), Lu Zhao (returning member; parent), Alicia Bauer (parent leader; PTA president; District 28 Title I co-chair), Chantelle Chambers (parent; informal STEM educator), Jennifer Sobers (parent leader; served on the council temporarily earlier in the year), and Jeff Luan (first term; parent). Quentin Mezzetin, serving as meeting president, thanked members and reiterated plans to address council goals once officers are installed.

Staff provided a brief operational note about Extended School Year (ESY) program sites for the summer: PS 50 (K–5), PS 190 (middle school), and Russell Sage were named as ESY locations. Mezzetin also said the borough president’s office is still processing appointees and that some members are completing oath paperwork, which contributed to the quorum shortfall.

With no other business that required a vote, Mezzetin adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:06 p.m. The council will reconvene Aug. 7 and, assuming quorum, intends to hold the postponed elections and proceed with its regular agenda.