Bloomberg's pick stirs new debate over mayoral control of schools

"Education Emperor"

N.Y. Mayor Bloomberg's pick of an inexperienced and unqualified corporate magazine exec to run the city's schools has ignited a firestorm of protest that isn't going away. L.A. Times' Geraldine Baum writes that the Bloomberg's autocratic style combined with lack of progress in school reform has revived the debate over mayor control. 

"It's the culmination and apotheosis of all the worst parts of mayoral control," said Leonie Haimson, a longtime activist for smaller class size who is part of a movement to stop Black's appointment. "In the end it's one man who doesn't listen to anybody and makes decision based on whim. Would Bloomberg put a non-doctor to head the health department or someone with no experience to run the police? I don't think so."

My brother blogs that another wealthy friend of the mayor's wanted her own charter school. Bloomberg gave it to heiress Courtney Sale Ross. But now Ross Global Academy is scheduled for closing.

But the principals came and went. 40% of the teachers left each year and almost 80% left last year. It became a sad story, particularly for the teachers, parents and students, of what happens when you hand over schools as the playthings of the rich and richer.

Joining the latest assault on mayoral control in Nat Hentoff of the Village Voice who calls Bloomberg the Education Emperor.