It’s official: Cathie Black, Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s controversial choice to run New York City’s public schools, got the green light yesterday from a state official who originally expressed skepticism in her.
New York’s state Education Commissioner David Steiner granted Black the necessary waiver that would allow Black to serve as school chancellor — even though she has no education experience. Black is the chairwoman of Hearst Magazines.
Steiner, like many New York parents and legislators, originally expressed concern that Black was not qualified for such an important position. But he decided to grant her the waiver after Bloomberg appointed deputy chancellor Shael Polakow-Suransky, who currently oversees testing, to serve as Black’s second-in-command. Polakow-Suransky is a former teacher and principal.
Three separate groups said they are planning to sue now that Black has been granted the waiver.
