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inside baseball

DOE’s press chief leaving to become Rupert Murdoch’s top aide

The Department of Education’s press office will be getting a new director in less than two weeks.

Natalie Ravitz, the department’s communications director since June 2010, is leaving to become chief of staff to Rupert Murdoch, the CEO of News Corporation. Her last day at the department will be Feb. 10.

Ravitz is following a well-worn path from the department to NewsCorp: Ex-schools chief Joel Klein, who was chancellor when Ravitz was hired, now heads the company’s growing education division. Last summer, Klein picked Kristen Kane, the department’s former chief operating officer, to become the division’s COO. He also acquired Wireless Generation, the technology company that developed and managed ARIS, the city’s school data warehouse.

After years in political communications, Ravitz arrived at the department during the summer of 2010 and shepherded its press operations through two abrupt changes in departmental leadership. She succeeded David Cantor, who held the job for longer than any of his predecessors before leaving for the private sector.

“Natalie has been an integral part of my cabinet and close confidante since I took over as chancellor, and I want to thank her for her sharp insight, strategic vision, and commitment to advancing our education agenda,” Chancellor Dennis Walcott said in a statement.

No word yet about the department’s plans to replace Ravitz. A citywide hiring freeze has limited virtually all hiring to internal candidates since last fall.

The city’s full press release about Ravitz’s departure is below.

CHANCELLOR WALCOTT ANNOUNCES THE DEPARTURE OF COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR NATALIE RAVITZ

Schools Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott today announced the departure of Natalie Ravitz, Communications Director for the Department of Education, who is leaving to become the Chief of Staff to Mr. Rupert Murdoch, the Chairman and CEO of News Corporation. Ravitz joined the Department of Education in June 2010 under then-Chancellor Joel Klein.

“Natalie has been an integral part of my cabinet and close confidante since I took over as Chancellor, and I want to thank her for her sharp insight, strategic vision, and commitment to advancing our education agenda,” Chancellor Walcott said. “We will miss her, but wish her nothing but the best as she begins this exciting new journey.”

“Working with the talented people here at the Department of Education and City Hall has been an incredible experience,” Ravitz said. “I leave with great admiration and affection for my colleagues, and in particular for Chancellor Walcott and Mayor Bloomberg, who have allowed me to be a part of their amazing efforts to transform New York City’s school system. While I am sad to say goodbye, I am very excited to begin this new challenge with one of the most dynamic companies in the world.”

Ravitz’s last day at the Department of Education will be February 10th.

  • http://twitter.com/BNiche B

    Why doesn’t this surprise me one bit?

  • bee

    Because it confirms  what a good many people have always suspected?

  • Tim

    She’s leaving so she can freely and openly speak her mind at GS’s “After School Special,” right? Right??

  • bee

    First comes Klein and then comes Ravitz, then comes the no-bid contracts and further exploitation of NYC public school communities, in the baby carriage.

  • Fox News

    Disgusting

  • Ms. A

    Ditto…

  • Koozy14

    Has anyone investigated whether or not people at the NY Post tapped phone lines?  I mean, it is a Murdoch publication…

  • http://ednotesonline.blogspot.com/ Norm

    This is the Tweed to profit pipeline. First Teach for America, then Tweed than riches. Another example of what ed deform is all about. At some point someone ought to have to do a perp walk. And by the way, Ravitz was as bad as they’ve had but fits right in with Murdoch. I’m not concerned about NY Post tapping phones. How about Tweed?

  • reality-based educator

    Interesting to see all of these alleged “Democrats” (like Klein, who worked in the Clinton admin and Ravitz, who worked for Barbara Boxer and Paul Wellstone) go to work for a right winger like Murdoch.

    Also interesting is how these people are going to work for Murdoch knowing he runs a criminal organization that is embroiled in a hacking/corruption/bribery/conspiracy scandal that has so far seen 30 people arrested on various charges (with more expected to be arrested as two separate criminal investigations continue into News Corp.)

    Just last week, the British police raided Murdoch’s newspaper offices in London and arrested four more of his employees, including high level editors, while searching the offices of The Sun and the The Sunday Times.  Murdoch also settled hacking cases with 30+ victims, acknowledging in the settlement that News Corp directors and executives have deliberately misled police in the investigation and destroyed evidence in the case.

    Doesn’t seem like the kind of company that honest people with integrity would want to join.

    And yet, all of these current and former DOE people are running to work there.

  • That Flerp Person

    As Natalie once told Marie Claire:  ”I love heels, but it’s much easier to run around the classroom in flats. Cole Haan makes a great pair with Nike Air technology that I can fold up into my bag. A big tote bag is a must, and a narrow trenchcoat looks good with just about anything.”

  • DM

    Ravitz is a professional liar, as is Klein, as is Walcott, as is Bloomberg, as is the entire Murdoch operation. The attempt to spin half-truths is still lying.

  • Nycdoenuts

    She really never belonged anywhere near this profession in the first place. I know people like Klein think that the whole sharp elbows act is a good thing, but when you’re facing the complex problems of teaching a whole city of diverse students, the attack dogs like Ravitz, aren’t exactly helpful in searching for workable approaches and solutions.
    With due respect to her, the level of discourse will be much better off when she, and those like her, just make the move to the private sector where they belong.

  • guest

    Conflict of Interest?

    Isn’t it illegal?

  • Michael M. (parent still)

    That’s one way to put an end to the Ravitz / Ravitch confusion.

  • Clay

    Didn’t she have that great quote “for the benefit of all of NYC’s children it’s time we accept Cathie Black and move on”?

    Talking down to people with true tripe…she’ll fit in fine with the flotsam at Fox.

  • I noticed that…

    Ravitz:  she follows the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ !

  • SickofBloomberg

    HOW IS THIS NOT A CLEAR CASE OF REPEATED CONFLICT OF INTEREST?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

  • SickofBloomberg

    HOW is this not a clear case of repeated conflict of interest?!?!?

  • Bronxone

    Meet the new boss… same as the old boss.

  • Outtahere

    Yes, because she knew SO much about running around a classroom. She won’t be missed.

  • HereNow,ThereThen

    I am quite amazed at all of these vicious comments by people who by their vary statements do not know Mr. K. Rupert Murdoch either personally or professionally, but rather listen to the hate mongering that unfortunately accompanies every highly successful individual on this planet. 
     Having had the privilege and honor, yes I said Honor, of working for and with Mr. Murdoch, some 30 years ago, when no one seemed to notice his farsightedness and Integrity when he took on our Countries’ regulatory agencies (boarding on corrupt, then..) and expanded the Individuals RIGHT to FREE SPEECH and the right of the individual, whoever you may be, to hold stock and participate in our Great Country’s MANY forms of media, concurrently.– Not as a Monopoly but as a voice of the people, among the people,  
    Through his actions, which forced reforms in policies of the FCC as well as other Govt. bureaus, many monopolies which would have limited jobs and silenced the voices of many people were crushed or avoided altogether. Read  your  History.   Govt. bodies and “groups”-these were ”quiet” movements which sought to silence any “other” voices.
     We should pray at present for our same rights to be kept intact - Our Voices are Now being challenged on this very Internet. Did YOU speak up? Censorship & Control will always be an issue when the “ruling body” seeks to silence/control their “charges”. Unfortunately for us, at this time, the “charges” are the American People & their Voices, Minds and Hearts, which are being encouraged and at times forced, to become dependent on our “Over-Lords-Our Government”..  Look in YOUR mirror- Then behind you. Shadows?
    I wonder how many of the people and their comments on this site know  anything about our Countries’ Historical Facts regarding both Free Speech and Action. Are any of you aware of the “Blackballing” and censorship which occurred during the 1950s’ throughout the entertainment field? Are you aware that until Mr. Murdoch won his rights to hold ownership  of The New York Post  and control of more than one “type” of “media” outlet, (and in the process saved the longest running New York Newspaper from going under?) NO ONE was allowed to control more than ONE “type” of media/ information disseminating entity? (FCC regs. stated no” Foriegner”was allowed but in Reality NO ONE had been allowed to “Influence” so many people –Except the White House Press –Think aout that folks as you are dishing dirt at a woman who may just now be able to actually assist where needed.
    Before you cast stones or harsh words, remember this: With Integrity there is nothing else. Without Integrity there is nothing else.  From PERSONAL experience I am aware Mr.K.R.
     Murdoch is a man of Integrity. Do not be jealous he knows how to protect YOUR rights and create new and Integral means of Free Expression. –
     I wish Ms. Ravitz a fruitful and prosperous time which, with the backing of Integrity and forthrightness, created by the Murdoch environment, will hopefully allow her to awaken many people and entities to their full potentials, thereby benefiting all concerned.  – Ms. Ravitz may finally have the opportunity to actually Do rather than “Do As She Is Told”. — Watch and See.
     People throw rocks at things that shine. Where she is going the Truth will destroy the rocks and maybe you who cannot see clearly will, after the dust clears, be able to see & feel how Integrity really does make things shine for the benefit of the entire planet. We need the Integrity and Clarity. I Thank God for Mr. Murdoch, I pray you see 
    who he is and what he has done for you all.   – God Bless Us All.            

     

  • Pogue

    You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another
    dimension – a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of
    mind. You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things
    and ideas. You’ve just crossed over into…

    The iZone.

  • Nycdoenuts

    Wow. Good stuff!
    This almost reminded me of Squealer talking about Napolean.

  • http://twitter.com/BNiche B

    *throws pie in commenter’s face* 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Leonie-Haimson/1094324158 Leonie Haimson

    She did a lousy job spinning lies for DOE; let’s hope the quality of her work stays the same for Rupert Murdoch.

  • http://twitter.com/nycdoenuts NYCDOEnuts

    Actually, I think she did a great job spinning lies for the DOE. That’s why I’m happy to see her go. A place near Murdoch is where someone like her belongs.

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