8/8/2019 RJacksonSteinerCBlack (2)

1/2

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

November 12, 2010

David SteinerCommissionerNew York State Education DepartmentWashington Avenue

Albany, NY 12234

Dear Commissioner Steiner:

I am writing to express my deep concern about the choice Mayor Bloomberg hasmade in naming Cathie Black as a successor to the current Chancellor and torequest that you do not issue the waiver that would permit her appointment.

New York State education law is explicit regarding the minimum requirementsthat the Superintendent of any New York State School District must meet. TheMayors choice, Cathie Black, meets none of the professional experiencerequirements, apparently satisfying only the undergraduate graduation standard.

School systems are not corporations; they differ profoundly in their mission,dynamics and governance processes. Ms. Blacks marketing expertise andpersonality may have made her a superlative corporate leader for the publishingindustry but I do not see evidence of experience in education that a Chancellorneeds to guide our nations largest and most complex public school system.

When Mayor Bloomberg announced the appointment of Raymond Kelly asCommissioner of the New York Police Department, he emphasized theimportance of Mr. Kellys extensive experience as a law enforcementprofessional. When Mayor Bloomberg announced the appointment of SalvatoreCassano as head of the Citys Fire Department, he stressed the significance ofMr. Cassanos 40 years of experience with that agency. With nothing less thanthe future of our children at stake, the Mayor suddenly seems to be saying thatexperience is no longer important.

ROBERTJACKSONCOUNCILMEMBER 7TH DISTRICT

MANHATTAN

DISTRICT OFFICES

751 W 183RD STREET

NEW YORK, NY10033

212.928.1322

FAX 212.928.4177

425 W 144TH STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10031

212.234.0551

FAX 212.234.0552

CITY HALL OFFICE

250 BROADWAY, ROOM 1747

NEW YORK, NY 10007

212.788.7007

FAX 212.788.9190

rjackson@council.nyc.gov

www. council.nyc.gov

EDUCATIONCHAIR

BLACK, LATINO & ASIAN

CAUCUSCO-CHAIR

COMMITTEES:

CONTRACTSFINANCE

HOUSING & BUILDINGS

LAND USE ZONING & FRANCHISES

RULES, PRIVILEGES & ELECTIONS

SANITATION & SOLID WASTE

MANAGEMENT

STANDARDS & ETHICS

8/8/2019 RJacksonSteinerCBlack (2)

2/2

In announcing Ms. Blacks candidacy, the Mayor said he conducted a publicsearch and picked the best. The Mayor talking to people for suggestionscannot be equated with a public search. I dispute his conclusion that the bestis an individual totally lacking experience with public education.

The need for a real education leader is evidenced by the failure of far too manystudents to meet the new State standards, as well as unacceptable dropout and

graduation rates and a tragically persistent achievement gap. We need aChancellor whose good judgment is honed by years of experience on the issuesthat confront our schools not a neophyte who is asking us to be patient. Thisis not the time to waive mandated qualifications.

I have frequently made the analogy that transforming the New York CityDepartment of Education is like turning around a very large boat in a verynarrow river. I extend that analogy - the ship is an aircraft carrier with 1.1million school children, heading into the Atlantic Ocean in the face of a forecastfor extremely severe weather. It will take an experienced captain at the helm to

keep the ship stable and moving in right direction.

I urge you to take personal responsibility for the fate of our children by refusingto grant the waiver that would allow Ms. Black to assume the position ofChancellor of the New York City Department of Education.

In Unity,

Robert Jackson

C: Board of RegentsPanel for Educational PolicyNew York City Delegation of the New York State SenateNew York City Delegation of the New York State AssemblyNew York City Council