New York City rescinds deal to give space in Bronx building to charter school

From The New York Daily News: New York Cityhas pulled the plug on a deal to house a charter school in a Bronx school building. The surprise move came after questions were raised about the charter's current and former board members - two of whom hold powerful jobs at the Education Department. Last month, the New York City Charter High School for Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industries won the prized space inside Alfred E. Smith High School, which is being phased down. Irma Zardoya, a high-ranking Education Department consultant, is the chairwoman of the charter school's board. Santiago Taveras - an interim acting deputy chancellor with the Education Department - was a board member for the charter until June. Education Department officials say political connections did not play a role in the charter school's ability to win the coveted space.