Opposition Continues To Bloomberg Education Appointee, Cathie Black

[no_hypocrisy]

On Sunday, November 28th, a coalition of parents and educators announced their opposition to the "compromise" that New York State Education Commissioner David Steiner has brokered with City Hall appointing Cathleen Black as Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education with Shael Palakow-Suransky designated to serve as Ms. Black’s Senior Deputy Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer.

Parents, educators, and elected officials challenged the validity of such a deal and announced that they are considering legal action to ensure that
Black’s waiver is denied. "This compromise is not a compromise at all, but a very transparent and flimsy fig leaf that will allow Ms. Black to be in charge despite a complete lack of qualifications for the job," said Mona Davids, President of the New York Charter Parents Association.

"The deal brokered by Commissioner Steiner and Mayor Bloomberg satisfies neither the requirements of law nor those of our public schools," added Lisa Donlan, a parent and President of Manhattan’s Community Education Council 1. " By requiring that a credentialed ‘number two’ serve alongside Ms. Black, the Commissioner has underlined the need for a Chancellor who actually meets the standards for training, experience and education set forth in the law – and the law does not allow for conditional waivers."

The education and community leaders highlighted critical facts. Recent public opinion polls document that New Yorkers have opposed the appointment of Black by a 2-to-1 margin. More than 13,000 parents, educators, and citizens have signed petitions against the waiver. Most importantly, Commissioner Steiner's own advisory panel voted against granting the waiver.

“Rather than representing the people they serve, Commissioner Steiner and Mayor Bloomberg have dismissed democracy and highlighted the worst aspects of Mayoral control of schools through secretive back-room negotiations and an unacceptable outcome,” said Chris Owens, a parent and former Community School Board President in Brooklyn.

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http://blackstarnews.com/news/135/ARTICLE/6961/2010-11-28.html