“One week after the departure of an unqualified schools Chancellor, a new Chancellor has again been crowned without an appropriate process.”

The Deny Waiver Coalition was originally formed to oppose the ascension of Cathleen P. Black to the position of Chancellor of the New York City schools. In addition to the specific objection to Black, the DWC advocated for a national search to determine who should serve as Chancellor, a more transparent process of vetting the candidates — including public hearings, and formal and respected opportunities for parent and community input prior to the final nomination of a candidate.

The Deny Waiver Coalition has never wavered in its demand that an appropriate individual serve as Chancellor — an individual whose experience in education substantially exceeds the minimum criteria for the position.

With the nomination of former Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott as the new Chancellor, a waiver of basic job requirements was still required — and granted — yet none of the process improvements exist. Mayor Bloomberg has once again simply decreed an outcome. While current education law may allow this dictation to happen, it is immoral and reinforces our commitment to remain vigilant and change the Education Law in New York State as necessary to protect our children and the public schools.

“One week after the departure of an unqualified schools Chancellor, a new Chancellor has again been crowned without an appropriate process,” declared Mona Davids, a founding member of the Deny Waiver Coalition and a Bronx parent. “This has to change.”

“New York City’s 1.1 million public school children and their families deserve more than the anointment of a politically convenient Chancellor,” stated Monica Ayuso, a Queens parent and member of the Deny Waiver Coalition.

“Since the Bloomberg administration’s education track record is strong on rhetoric, hype and titles, yet weak on substance, there should have been a national search to determine the best person to lead the Department of Education,” said Julie Cavanagh, a Brooklyn teacher and member of the Deny Waiver Coalition.

“Former Deputy Mayor Walcott has made clear his intention to stick to Mayor Bloomberg’s damaged script and that is both predictable and unacceptable,” stated John Battis, a Brooklyn parent (Red Hook) and member of the Deny Waiver Coalition.

Brooklyn parent (Prospect Heights) and Democratic District Leader Chris Owens said, “We must close the resource and achievement gaps, not close schools. We must protect and nurture teachers, not demonize and blame them. We must embrace parents and communities in partnerships with schools — not shut them out.”

Patirica Connelly, a Brooklyn parent (Bedford-Stuyvesant), stated that “The past 10 years of educational leadership by this Mayor and his Deputy Mayor have failed to bring our children any closer to the future they deserve — a future with fair and equitable access to an excellent education that prepares all students for success in higher education, 21st century careers, and life in a vibrantly democratic society.”

Lisa Donlan, Manhattan parent and the President of Community Education Council 1, was specific with her criticism of the new Chancellor:

“Although the new face of the DoE will be better informed and better prepared, Mr. Walcott lacks those essential qualities and qualifications many of us believe our children, their schools, and our communities deserve, including: serious and thorough pedagogical training and experience that ranges from the classroom-based skills of a master teacher to the supervision of teachers and administrators at all levels of the system; education-based management expertise on a scale akin to 135,000 employees and more than one million students in some 1700 schools; the certification, training and experience of a superintendent; a fair-minded, unbiased ability to look squarely at the problems our schools face and to work democratically with knowledgeable stakeholders on the ground to come up with solutions that improve teaching and learning for all our students.”

The Coalition’s attorney, Arthur Z. Schwartz, of Advocates for Justice, echoed this sentiment, stressing how quick, non-competitive, appointments of politically connected aides run contrary to the spirit of the law. “The legislature carefully balanced the statutory requirements, clearly expecting school boards to be hiring experienced educators. The Mayor not only seeks no counsel from others, he has no understanding of why the school system needs to be led by an educator.”

The President of Manhattan’s Community Education Council 3, Manhattan parent and Coalition member Noah Gotbaum, also sounded this theme. “Every leading private, non-profit, and public sector organization — from IBM to the Ford Foundation to the U.S. Department of Defense to the Buffalo, New York public school system — routinely relies on a thorough, comprehensive and professional search to find the best qualified and most experienced leader. Yet for the largest and most complex public school system in the world, this Mayor once again has taken no counsel, sought out no candidate pool, nor looked beyond his own loyal staff or friends. Why is this Mayor afraid to seek out a global education leader? Our children deserve nothing less.”

- – -

The Deny Waiver Coalition includes individual petitioners who challenged the appointment of Cathie Black in court. Parent Petitioners from the five boroughs are New York State Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries (Brooklyn), Democratic State Committeeman and District Leader Chris Owens (Brooklyn), Ms. Mona Davids (Bronx), Mr. Noah E. Gotbaum (Manhattan), Ms. Khem Irby (Brooklyn), Ms. Lydia Bellahcene (Brooklyn), Ms. Patricia Connelly (Brooklyn), Ms. Monica Ayuso (Queens), Ms. Mariama Sanoh (Brooklyn), Mr. John Battis (Brooklyn), Ms. Latrina Miley (Manhattan), Ms. Shino Tanikawa-Oglesby (Manhattan) and Ms. Maria Farano-Rodriguez (Staten Island). The teacher Petitioner is Ms. Julie Cavanagh (Brooklyn).

# # #

Visit the Deny Waiver Coalition website:

http://www.denywaiver.com/

CONTACT:

Mona Davids                                                                    917-340-8987

Noah Gotbaum                                                                917-658-3213

Chris Owens                                                                    718-514-4874

Today’s resignation of Schools Chancellor Cathleen P. Black closes another sad chapter in the history of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s manipulation of public education in the City of New York.  Ms. Black’s departure is a clear victory for parents and all those who care about the quality of public education.

After disregarding the concerns of many, Mayor Bloomberg pushed ahead with the nomination and defense of a candidate unqualified to lead the largest public school system in the United States of America.  Cathie Black’s departure confirms for parents, teachers and administrators their fear that the Bloomberg administration’s education track record is strong on rhetoric, hype and titles, yet weak on substance.

The Mayor has provided a textbook lesson in the dangers of unfettered Mayoral control of our education system.  In sum, Mayor Bloomberg’s political treatment of education is leading to disaster for our children.

The Deny Waiver Coalition is proud to have continuously highlighted the fact that the Mayor “had no clothes” when it came to this appointment.  The Deny Waiver Coalition has never wavered in its demand that an appropriate individual serve as Chancellor — an individual whose experience in education substantially exceeds the minimum criteria for the position. 

There remains cause for concern. The Deny Waiver Coalition called for a national search to find the best Chancellor candidate.  That has not happened.  The Coalition demanded a Chancellor with proven experience at leading public schools or school systems.  New York City still does not have that.  The Coalition advocated for transparency in the Chancellor selection process.  That has yet to happen.

Accordingly, the Deny Waiver Coalition members support the immediate adoption of legislation amending the New York State education law to strengthen the minimum requirements for service as Chancellor of New York City’s public schools, and to minimize the discretion allowed with regard to waivers on the part of the Mayor and the State Education Commissioner.

“Parents understand more and more that Ms. Black is unqualified to be Chancellor”

The NY1/Marist Poll released on Monday, April 4 showing that New York City Chancellor Cathleen P. Black’s public approval rating has fallen to 17% is no surprise to public school parents.

There is little evidence that Black’s reign will be successful by any measure.  Specifically, there has been an exodus of qualified education leaders since Ms. Black’s appointment — which New York’s public school students cannot afford to have happen.

The waiver of education requirements that Cathie Black received from New York State Education Commissioner David Steiner was based in large part on the support she allegedly would be receiving from her Deputy Chancellors — since her own knowledge of education is minimal.

Since Ms. Black’s nomination to become Chancellor, however, three Deputy Chancellors — all involved with critical responsibilities — have resigned their positions.  The most recent departure, that of 22-year veteran Santiago Taveras, Deputy Chancellor for Community Engagement, is the latest loss of an educator with significant and relevant administrative or teaching experience.  The other two Deputy Chancellors who have left the New York City Department of Education are Photeine Anagnostopoulos, Deputy Chancellor for Finance and Technology (November, 2010) and 39-year veteran Eric Nadelstern, Deputy Chancellor for the Division of School Support and Instruction (January, 2011).

Attorney Arthur Schwartz of Advocates for Justice stated that “Commissioner Steiner and one Court insisted that Cathie Black did not need specific expertise due to the amount of support she would have from a knowledgeable team.  As my clients pointed out from the start, however, a team can come apart and then what?”

Schwartz continued.  “In this case the unqualified team leader, Cathie Black, will be less and less able to provide the strong leadership needed at this time.  The real losers are the children, their parents, and all those who truly care about public education in the City of New York.  Our appellate courts still have an opportunity to do the right thing.  A judge can rectify this egregious error first made by Mayor Bloomberg, then compounded by Commissioner Steiner.”  Advocates for Justice is representing the Petitioners challenging Ms. Black’s appointment as Chancellor.

Monica Ayuso, a Queens parent, said, “Unfortunately, I don’t fault any true educator who departs this system during a time when the education of our children has been commandeered by the non-educator. It’s my hope that we won’t lose too many more educators before the system is rid of Ms. Black.”

Mariama Sanoh, a Brooklyn parent, said, “Four months later and Cathie Black’s approval rating is only going down.  Cathie Black must go.  My children deserve a qualified Chancellor who inspires confidence.”

Mona Davids, a Bronx parent at a New York City Department of Education-authorized charter school, stated the following:

“Mayor Bloomberg’s legacy is now complete as the worst education Mayor, and as the Mayor responsible for almost destroying our public education system.  Cathie Black’s appointment confirmed for the world Mayor Bloomberg’s intention of privatizing our school system and highlighted the Mayor’s poor management through failed multi-million dollar no-bid contracts and the use of outside consultants.  Parents understand more and more that Mrs. Black is unqualified to be Chancellor.  That is why her approval rating is down to 17%.”

The Deny the Waiver Coalition will continue to fight to ensure that our children have a qualified Chancellor.  We have not given up our legal fight and will be in appellate court on April 28, even stronger in our conviction that Cathie Black is unqualified to be New York City Schools Chancellor and must be removed.

###

From Gotham Schools

A month’s more time in the public eye has done nothing to lift Chancellor Cathie Black’s approval rating. The number of New Yorkers who approve of her work remains at 17%, according to a NY1-Marist poll released tonight.

That’s the same place last month’s Quinnipiac poll put Black and a drop from her 21% approval rating measured by Marist last February. And for context, the 17% figure is two percentage points below Governor Paterson’s approval rating at its lowest, a number Marist described as historically low.

Approval for the public school system’s performance overall is higher, but not by very much. Only 38% of respondents said they approved of the school system’s performance, and 20% rated the schools’ performance as poor.

School performance reports divided along racial lines. While 45% of white residents polled by Marist rated the schools highly, only 36% of Latino respondents and 25% of African-Americans did the same.

Approval was higher among households with children who attend public schools. A little more than half, or 53%, said they approve of the system’s performance.

The poll results come on the heels of a disastrous report for Mayor Bloomberg’s school policies. That poll, also by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, found that public approval of the mayor’s handling of the public schools has dropped more than 20 percentage points since 2009.

Today’s poll supported last week’s report on public opinion of the city teachers union.

The poll released last week reported that 56% of respondents believed that the union’s fight to save “last in, first out” was intended merely to protect institutional seniority. Only 35% thought that the union wanted to retain experienced teachers.

Today’s poll reports that 55% or residents believe that the union “does more good than harm,” while only 35% think the opposite. Opinion on the union divided along age lines, with younger respondents showing more support: 67% of people between 18 and 30 said the union does more harm than good, compared to 43% of those over 65.

The poll also asked an unusual question: Which union is stronger — the city teachers union or the NFL Players Association? A decisive 50% of residents believe that the football league has the stronger union, while 38% responded that the UFT has got the goods.

Bad sign for fading Black

By MICHAEL GOODWIN

Last Updated: 10:39 AM, March 20, 2011

Posted: 2:19 AM, March 20, 2011

It is said you never get a sec ond chance to make a first im pression. Cathie Black better hope that’s not true.

More than four months after Mayor Bloomberg announced that the little-known magazine executive would be his new schools chancellor, Black is failing to create a positive identity for herself. She is still defined by the clumsy rollout of her appointment, a battle over her credentials and by minor gaffes she made since taking over Jan. 1.

The result is a dismal public profile where only 17 percent of New Yorkers approve of the job she is doing, according to a Quinnipiac University poll. The 49 percent who disapprove include majorities of most major racial, ethnic and political groups. Fully one-third do not have an opinion about her.

Blacks and Hispanics, whose children comprise the bulk of public-school students, give her thumbs-down. Only 13 percent of blacks like the job she is doing, while 56 percent disapprove. Among Hispanics, 17 percent approve and 57 percent disapprove.

The first female chancellor in city history does not enjoy much support from mothers with children in the schools. Only 13 percent approve, while 55 percent disapprove, the poll finds.

Factors beyond her control contribute to Black’s problems. She was greeted by budget cutbacks and controversy, as the mayor seeks to close underperforming schools and battles with the unions and the Legislature about seniority rules during planned layoffs.

And Bloomberg himself is sinking, with the same poll showing only 39 percent of New Yorkers approve of his performance, while 51 percent disapprove. That’s his lowest standing in eight years.

Among school parents, only 28 percent approve of Bloomberg, while 61 percent disapprove.

The combination of his and Black’s weak standing could prove deadly to the mayor’s ability to make major school progress in his final three years. “The way it’s going, you’ll have the ‘education mayor’ ending his third term with a chancellor who isn’t seen as credible,” a Bloomberg insider told me.

Yet there is no evidence that City Hall is worried enough about Black’s reputation to do anything about it. Her public appearances are mostly limited to photo ops in schools, and experienced education deputies are trotted out to answer substantive questions about policy and student performance.

She has not made a major speech to demonstrate a passion and vision for the system, or to lay out a progress report on her learning curve. The vacuum means her stumbling start retains an outsized impact on perception, with one skeptic saying she seems to see the job as just “another corporate assignment.”

The mayor’s claim that she was a “superstar manager” in the magazine world has not yet proved relevant to the school system, with most decisions so far being made either above or below her.

My request for an interview with Black was denied by City Hall.

A state official suggested that Albany shares the public disappointment and said some are convinced Black’s appointment was a mistake. “You can’t parachute into the middle of a conversation on a signature issue like this,” the official said. “All the things being fought over now are much too complicated for that.”

That may or may not be true. But unless City Hall can soon change the momentum of her tenure and persuade the public she is up to the job, Black’s fate may already be sealed.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bad_sign_for_fading_black_aD28186AEWtKRBA4POft2H/1

RED Thursday Part Two!

“Without a struggle, there can be no progress” – Frederick Douglass

Join Deny Waiver Coalition, parents and educators at our press conference announcing our appeal to the illegal appointment of Cathie Black.

WHEN:  Thursday, February 10

TIME:     4:30PM

WHERE:  DoE Headquarters, 50 Chambers Street

Thank you Dr. King and all others who stood with you in fighting for our civil rights.

We will continue the fight!

.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 30, 2010

CONTACT:
Norman Siegel (Attorney)          347-907-0867
Mona Davids                                 917-340-8987
Noah E. Gotbaum                          917-658-3213
Lupé Todd (for Asm. Jeffries)      917-202-0116

Parents Vow To Continue Fight For Quality Education In NYC
.
Albany Supreme Court Judge Sides With Education Commissioner;
Rejects Challenge To Steiner-Black Waiver

On Wednesday, December 29, Judge Gerald Connolly of the Albany County Supreme Court denied the petitions submitted on behalf of 13 parent Petitioners and one teacher challenging New York State Education Commissioner David Steiner’s waiver of employment requirements for Cathleen Black so she could assume the office of Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education.

The Petitioners, including New York State Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries (D-57) and members of the Deny Waiver Coalition, contend that Ms. Black does not have the qualifications necessary under New York State law to oversee the educational system that serves their children and, furthermore, that Commissioner Steiner misinterpreted State law and exceeded his authority in granting the waiver to Ms. Black.

Attorney Norman Siegel, representing the 14 Petitioners, stated the following:  “We are disappointed with the Court’s decision.  We believed that there would be a different outcome and that Ms. Black’s waiver would not be allowed to stand.  I will be consulting with the parents and teacher to determine their next step.”

Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, a parent Petitioner, said, “The decision by Judge Connolly is extremely disappointing but we will not throw in the towel with respect to the effort to improve our public schools system. Cathie Black remains unqualified to be chancellor. We will make a determination about whether to appeal shortly.”

Parent Petitioner Mona Davids said, “I am disappointed in Judge Connolly’s decision but not surprised.  The decision to grant a waiver to Black who is clearly unqualified shows our children that it’s not what you know but who you know. The appointment of unqualified Black has served as a catalyst to mobilize parents throughout the city to fight for a quality education for our children.”

Noah E. Gotbaum, parent Petitioner, stated, “This case is just the beginning of the movement of parents and educators to fight for our 1.1 million kids and to stand up against the current business model of education and its constituency of out-of-touch billionaires.”

Teacher Petitioner Julie Cavanagh was unhappy with the decision.  “I am saddened by the decision handed down today, but I am inspired by the brave parents, educators and citizens who stood up and fought for justice and for their voice to be heard. I stand firm in the beliefs held by the Deny Waiver Coalition; our children deserve a qualified Chancellor with the education credentials the law requires.”

Parent Petitioner Patricia Connelly said, “While I am profoundly disappointed with today’s decision by Judge Connolly, I for one am not ready to let this illegal and immoral waiver stand.  I join my fellow petitioners in demanding that the public be restored to our rightful place at the table in protecting and promoting a truly democratic public education system here in New York City.”

Parent Petitioner Shino Tanikawa, said, “I am deeply disappointed and puzzled by Judge Connolly’s decision.  However, I am, along with the others, determined to continue fighting for what is right.”

Chris Owens, a parent Petitioner, expressed his frustration with the perspective of Commissioner Steiner and the Court.  “Unfortunately, this judge ignored the true intent of the Education Law – to protect the quality and integrity of education management in New York State.  Given the current state of our streets, I am uncomfortable with someone who only has management credentials handling this City’s education storm and the future of my two sons.”

Ms. Black was nominated by Mayor Bloomberg on November 9, 2010 to succeed outgoing Chancellor Joel Klein.  Commissioner Steiner granted the waiver on November 29.

Attorneys Norman Siegel and Herbert Teitelbaum, representing the 14 Petitioners, were joined by attorneys Roger Wareham and Eric Snyder, each representing additional New York City public school parents who are also challenging the Steiner waiver.  Three separate Article 78 petitions challenging the waiver had been filed and were consolidated during the court hearing.

Parent Petitioners were Assemblyman Jeffries (Brooklyn), Hon. Chris Owens (Brooklyn), Ms. Mona Davids (Bronx), Mr. Noah Gotbaum (Manhattan), Ms. Khem Irby (Brooklyn), Ms. Lydia Bellahcene (Brooklyn), Ms. Patricia Connelly (Brooklyn), Ms. Monica Ayuso (Queens), Ms. Mariama Sanoh (Manhattan), Mr. John Battis (Brooklyn), Ms. Latrina Miley (Manhattan), Ms. Shino Tanikawa-Oglesby (Manhattan) and Ms. Maria Farano-Rodriguez (Staten Island), as well as teacher Petitioner Julie Cavanagh (Brooklyn).

# # #

A group of parents, among them members of the Deny Waiver Coalition, filed a lawsuit today against NY state for granting Cathie Black a waiver to become schools chancellor. The NY Daily News reports that “the parents, assisted by civil rights attorney Norman Siegel, filed the petition in New York State Supreme Court and claim that state Education Commissioner David Steiner abused his authority and ‘acted unlawfully.’”

The Daily News interviewed Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) and civil rights attorney Norman Siegel on the lawsuit:

“The law only permits a waiver to be granted to someone whose credentials make clear they can stand on their own two feet,” said Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn), who joined the suit as a parent of a first- and fourth-grader at The Brooklyn New School.

“Cathie Black is being carried on the shoulders of the chief academic officer, and this arrangement is plainly unlawful.”

The petition also says that Black’s lack of a master’s degree should have disqualified her.

“The essence of this lawsuit is about rule of law and holding government officials accountable,” said Siegel.

A spokesman for Steiner said the department doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

Read the full article at: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/12/parent-group-sues-state-over-c.html#ixzz17YXjGBOk

Here is the Memorandum of Law.