GothamSchools — daily independent reporting on NYC public schools

see you in court

Parents, politicians file second legal challenge to Black

A group of city parents, including State Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, has filed the second legal challenge to the appointment of publishing executive Cathie Black as schools chancellor.

Like the first lawsuit, which a Brooklyn parent filed last week, the challenge focuses on the waiver that State Education Commissioner David Steiner granted Black to exempt her from the education certification normally required for school district leaders.

Steiner granted Black the waiver on the condition that Black appoint a seasoned educator as Chief Academic Officer.

In today’s suit, lawyers Norman Siegel and Herbert Teitelbaum argue that the state law that says the commissioner may grant a waiver to candidates with experience that is “substantially equivalent” to the certification cannot be interpreted to also consider the qualifications of a deputy.

Many of the parents named as plaintiffs of the suit are members of the “Deny Waiver Coalition,” the group that has spearheaded the opposition to Black’s appointment.

  • C.S.

    I hope New Yorkers are very smart next time around in Nov of 2013 when a new mayor is elected. 2 years, 11 months to deal with this non-related piece of garbage! Ms. Black stated “Nothing is going to change, so let’s move forward.”. What a way to start. She should be spit at.

  • Pogue

    Keep challenging Bloomberg and Black legally, of the few that may not be in the pocket of the Mayor, I’d put some trust in court judges to act fairly regarding the well-being of NYC’s children.

    Although it is up to UFT leadership to assist and stick by pro-children decisions. And, they haven’t been very good about it in the past.

  • Teacher of LD kids

    Siegel has made an interesting argument about the fact that Steiner could not, by law, rely on the qualifications of others in order to waive those requirements for the candidate herself. He (Siegel) has elegantly supplemented the argument made by Eric Snyder, not merely parroting the legal points but expanding them and bringing in additional layers of logic.

    A little off point but for the record, I NEVER VOTED FOR BLOOMBERG!!!! Green in 2001, Ferrer in 2005, and Thompson in 2009. Yes, I had issues with all three of them, and I’ll admit it was more about voting against Bloombucks than it was about voting for any of them. Too many givebacks in the contract. It’s time to stop.

Tips, questions, feedback?

Contact us at .

Word from Our Sponsor

Follow GothamSchools

RSS
Subscribe to the daily email digest:

Chalk It Up

Recent Comments

0 comments so far today

Events Calendar

Archives

May 2013
M T W T F S S
« Apr  
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031