From The New York Post: Mayor Michael Bloomberg will remain the undisputed educator-in-chief of New York City public schools. The New York state Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation renewing for six more years mayoral control of the Big Apple's vast education system.
JULY 2009...from The New York Times: The New York City Board of Education met for the first time in seven years Wednesday as Mayor Michael Bloomberg technically lost control of the school system. When July 1 arrived at midnight, the schools reverted to the control of a Board of Education that did not exist. Under the old system, two of the seven board members were mayoral appointees, and the borough presidents chose the rest, so Bloomberg invited the borough leaders to Gracie Mansion on Wednesday to create the new board over breakfast. Four of the leaders agreed to appoint members who would not alter the current leadership or overturn any of its policies,
EARLIER...from The New York Daily News: A hastily revived New York City Board of Education will meet today and is expected to vote to keep Schools Chancellor Joel Klein in place. The new board was selected late Tuesday after it became clear that the New York State Senate would not extend mayoral control. By continuing Klein's authority over the school system, the board essentially would be keeping Mayor Michael Bloomberg in charge. The mayor appointed two board members, and each borough president appointed one.
JUNE 2009...from The New York Times: The New York State Assembly has overwhelmingly approved a bill that would keep control of New York City’s public schools firmly in the hands of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. The bill would maintain the mayor’s power to appoint a majority of an education oversight panel but limit his ability to close schools and approve contracts. On the Senate side of the legislature, Senator John L. Sampson of Brooklyn, the new Democratic leader, says he'll push for removal of the mayor’s power to appoint a majority of the panel, even if it means letting the 2002 law authorizing mayoral control to expire on June 30. The Bloomberg administration and the schools chancellor, Joel I. Klein, have insisted that such a move would bring disorder to the school system.
