NYC School Board Members Linked to Moms for Liberty Group Lose Seats

School board members in Manhattan with connections to the conservative parent group Moms for Liberty were not re-elected to their positions on local education councils, according to results announced on June 17, 2025. Among those who lost their seats was Maud Maron, who previously filed a federal lawsuit against the New York City Education Department after being removed for misconduct. The election results come amid ongoing debates about education policies in the district.

While nearly 1,400 parents applied for positions on the Community and Citywide Education Councils this election cycle—representing a 24% increase from the previous cycle—voter turnout remained low with fewer than 18,200 parents participating in a school system serving approximately one million students. This marked a 4% decrease in participation compared to the 2023 election. The councils serve as school boards in New York City's mayoral-controlled public school system.

The Community Education Council 2, which oversees a district spanning from Lower Manhattan to the Upper East Side, became a focal point of controversy after members proposed reconsidering the city's policy on transgender girls' participation in school sports. This proposal sparked protests and organized efforts to remove its supporters from the council. The number of applicants for positions on this particular council more than doubled compared to 2023.

Parent Leaders for Accelerated Curriculum and Education (PLACE), an advocacy group supporting expanded Gifted & Talented programs and specialized high school admissions testing, will hold 31% of elected seats according to their tallies, a decrease from the previous election. One newly elected council member, Erin Khar, cited President Trump's re-election and subsequent federal policies as factors motivating her decision to run. Khar expressed intentions to help rescind the transgender sports resolution implemented by the previous council.

The elected council members will begin serving their two-year terms on July 1, 2025. Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos emphasized the importance of parent leadership in the school system, stating that the elections demonstrate how deeply parent voices are valued in shaping schools and building a more inclusive system for all students.