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The Department of Education official in charge of opening and closing schools has proposed drinking to the news that some of his plans can go forward.

In an email to at nearly 80 top-ranking DOE employees — but not to Chancellor Dennis Walcott — Deputy Chancellor of Portfolio Planning Marc Sternberg announced a happy hour to celebrate last night’s State Supreme Court ruling in the lawsuit filed by the UFT and NAACP. He wrote:

Last night:

New York Supreme Court Justice Paul Feinman denied the UFT and NAACP’s request for a preliminary injunction preventing the Department of Education from moving forward to close 22 failing schools and co-locate 15 public charter schools in DOE buildings. The judge’s ruling allows the DOE to move forward with the closings and co-locations.

Tonight:

Come join us for a drink to honor this important moment for New York City’s public school families! Please forward —all are welcome!

The email was sent just before 1 p.m. today and was later posted to the NYC Education News listserv run by parent activist Leonie Haimson. Natalie Ravitz, the DOE’s chief spokeswoman, confirmed the message’s authenticity.

“We have no problem with our employees getting together with friends after work for a happy hour, as people do in companies and organizations across America,” Ravitz said.

The full email, including its addressees, is below. (more…)