Bloomberg Thinks Black Is Only Option For Chancellor

Yesterday, State Education Commissioner David Steiner appointed an eight-member advisory panel to review a waiver that would allow Hearst Magazines head Cathie Black to become the city's new Schools Chancellor despite her lack of educational experience. But Bloomberg sent the panel a warning, saying that if they didn't appoint Black they will literally not be able to find anyone else to do the job. Anywhere. Forever. He asked, "How would you get somebody else? I don't know what you'd do if you didn't [get the waiver]...I don't know why anybody would come if you didn't do this." Yes, why would any educator apply now that they know Bloomberg is looking for business moguls?

The panel is also causing some controversy, as three of the members are former Education Department officials and three are current superintendents. Panel for Educational Policy member Patrick Sullivan told the Daily News, "I don't think it's appropriate to appoint three individuals who previously worked for the Bloomberg administration. We need more independence than that." But a state Education Department spokesman said, "Naturally, it was important to have panelists with New York City school system knowledge and experience." Not that it matters—she already knows she's got the job.

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By Jaya Saxena in News on November 20, 2010 4:22 PM

Comments [rss]

Phil

Cosimo Medici was one of the most powerful men in Renaissance Italy. I believe that Bloomberg models himself after him. Medici thought of himself as a man who worked for the common good like Bloomberg believes he does except "Cosimo's career reflects this aristocratic, elitist tendency. His pose as a simple merchant, his pretense of being no greater than any other citizen, deluded no one. He crushed his enemies and exalted his friends and supporters." (http://employees.oneonta.edu/f... This is Michael Bloomberg who thinks he owns NYC and in this vein crushes his enemies and exalts his rich friends.

potsmoker

we can only wish our dreams come true.

JenChungsBaby

If nobody would want the job then why does she?

exnyer

To be part of the vicious cycle she will be able to sit on future panels and appoint more "qualified" friends....and on and on and on.

chunk

I don't know anything about Black as an individual, but clearly the most important quality Bloomberg should be looking for in a candidate to run the 135,000 employee, $22 billion per year NYC school system is possession of a teaching certificate.

Christopher

Sorry - let _these_ be his last years, etc.

Christopher

Yet another example to show that Bloomberg thinks that laws don't apply to him (remember term limits, anyone?). Please, please let this be his last years in public office. Any public office.