Community board urges DOE action on remote learning, after‑school funding and digital equity

Manhattan Community Board 2’s Schools & Education Committee presented two resolutions the full board moved into its omnibus vote on May 20, calling on the New York City Department of Education to publish clear remote‑learning guidance, expand access to devices and broadband, and protect after‑school funding.

The committee unanimously recommended that the DOE reimburse middle‑school after‑school providers for July and August 2020 so programs can prepare and safely serve working families and vulnerable students. The resolution characterized after‑school programs as a critical equity tool and urged immediate reimbursement of expenses incurred by providers.

A second, broader resolution sought concrete DOE policies for remote and hybrid learning, including standards for live (synchronous) and recorded (asynchronous) instruction, guidance on small‑group interactions and teacher training, and plans to address social‑emotional and trauma needs. The committee called for every student to have a remote learning device (noting that middle and high school students need laptops with keyboards), expanded high‑speed broadband access in low‑income communities and targeted funding for students in transitional housing, students with disabilities and English‑language learners.

Committee members and public commenters also urged the DOE to solicit input from parents, administrators, teachers, community boards and after‑school providers before finalizing plans. The full board moved the resolutions into the omnibus for a later roll‑call vote.