Outgoing NYC Mayor Adams Appoints GOP’s Borelli to Key School Board Amid Transition Tensions

Mayor Eric Adams has appointed former City Council Republican leader Joe Borelli to a crucial education oversight panel. The move came just weeks before Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani takes office. It is part of a series of last-minute appointments to influential city boards.The appointments cover housing, police oversight, and now education. Critics view them as an attempt to shape policy beyond Adams’s term. Supporters see it as routine administrative action before a leadership change.

A Pattern of Pre-Election Appointments

Adams has moved to fill vacancies on the Rent Guidelines Board. This body sets annual rent increases for stabilized apartments. According to The New York Daily News, the selections could be finalized this week.These appointments may challenge Mamdani’s campaign pledge for a rent freeze. The mayor-elect has advocated for a more tenant-friendly approach. The board’s new composition could influence critical housing votes.Adams also placed two new members on the police watchdog panel. The Civilian Complaint Review Board gained appointees seen as more supportive of officers. This includes a former journalist and an ex-police officer.

Borelli’s Role and Rebuttal

Borelli will serve on the Panel for Educational Policy, known as the PEP. He will also be a trustee for the public pension fund serving school employees. His term is set to run through June, after which Mamdani could reappoint him.Borelli disputed claims that his appointment is politically motivated. “If I wanted to stir sh*t up, I would have asked to be on the RGB board,” he told The News. He stated his genuine desire was to remain in public service.The PEP votes on citywide school policies, contracts, and budgets. Mayoral appointees typically hold a majority of seats. However, recent changes have led to a more independent panel.According to Bloomberg, Adams’s deputy acknowledged considering the panel’s composition ahead of the transition. Borelli fills one of several seats the mayor had left vacant. The panel recently pushed for changes to outdated school bus contracts.

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This flurry of appointments sets the stage for immediate policy challenges for the incoming administration. The move to install Joe Borelli on the school oversight panel underscores the political maneuvering defining New York City’s transition of power.

Dropping this nugget your way-

What is the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP)?

The PEP is New York City’s central education policy board. It votes on system-wide budgets, contracts, and major rules. A majority of its members are appointed by the mayor.

Why are these appointments controversial?

Critics see them as an effort to lock in policies that could conflict with the next mayor’s agenda. Appointments to housing and police oversight boards are viewed similarly. The timing right before a transition fuels this perception.

How long will Joe Borelli serve on the panel?

His current appointment runs through June 2025. After that, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani would need to reappoint him for Borelli to stay. Mamdani’s spokespeople have not commented on future plans for the seat.

Does Joe Borelli have children in public schools?

In a recent interview, Borelli indicated he enrolled his children in Catholic school. This followed pandemic-era public school closures. He will help oversee a system his own children do not attend.

Can Borelli still work as a lobbyist?

Yes, he plans to continue his lobbying work. He stated he cleared necessary background checks. He may need to recuse himself from votes directly related to his clients’ interests.