BROOKLYN BP MARKOWITZ APPOINTS CHIEF OF STAFF, LONGTIME EDUCATION ADVOCATE CARLO A. SCISSURA TO BOARD OF EDUCATION
Scissura brings relevant Community School Board, Community Education Council, parental and student advocacy, and Community Board experience to role
On Tuesday, June 30, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz announced the appointment of his chief of staff, Carlo A. Scissura, as the Brooklyn representative to the Board of Education.
Scissura, 38, is a lifelong Brooklyn resident, born and raised in Bensonhurst and currently living in Dyker Heights. In 1999, Scissura was elected to Community School Board 20, becoming the Board's vice president, and five years later was appointed by Borough President Markowitz to serve on the Community Education Council for District 20, where he served as president and led the district in making the transition to mayoral control. He was also a long time member of Community Board 11.
"The last thing I wanted to see was the sunset of mayoral control, which I believe has been the best form of school governance for the students, families, schools and teachers of this city," said Borough President Markowitz. "But the reality is that the education of our children can't hang in the balance as Albany tries to get its act together, and the responsibility of making an appointment to the Board of Education is one I take very seriously. I am proud to name Carlo Scissura to the Board, and I am certain his years of experience both in and out of the classroom--especially his respected ability to work closely with parents--will give him unique insight in representing our city's more than one million public school students, their families and teachers."
"I have spent the last decade of my life fighting hard for our students and their right to a quality education," said Scissura, "and I look forward to working with my fellow Board members in ensuring stability and continuity for our public school system. As someone who served as the first president of Community Educational Council 20, I understand the importance of parental involvement and fiscal responsibility. This is a time where every dollar needs to be put back into our schools, and because of that, I will not accept any stipend afforded members of the Board of Education. Let's remember, this is about children, and our kids come first."
Prior to joining Brooklyn Borough Hall as counsel and later being appointed chief of staff, Scissura was an attorney in full-time private practice, and worked in both the New York State Assembly and Senate. He served as an adjunct professor at Baruch College for four years, and is currently a member of the board of trustees of the Brooklyn Public Library. In addition, Scissura is the second vice president of the Federation of Italian-American Organizations.
Scissura is a graduate of Pace University, with a Bachelor of Arts, with honors, in Political Science, as well as a Juris Doctor. He attended Our Lady of Guadalupe School and Xaverian High School.
Scissura will also continue to serve full-time as chief of staff to the Brooklyn Borough President.