Assembly Votes To Renew Mayoral Control of NYC Schools

ALBANY (AP/Hamodia) —

The New York State Assembly voted Tuesday to give the mayor of New York three more years of control over city schools.

Mayor Bill de Blasio wants the policy, first implemented in 2002, renewed for seven years but lawmakers say they’re wary of such a long extension. The policy is set to expire June 30 after lawmakers last year renewed it for only one year.

Convincing the Senate’s GOP majority remains de Blasio’s greatest challenge. Senate Leader John Flanagan has criticized him for not knowing enough about his city’s schools.

The Senate had invited the mayor to make his case at a hearing on Thursday in New York City. But de Blasio announced Wednesday that he would be skipping the meeting since he had already made a “compelling case.”

“I am extremely disappointed the mayor doesn’t believe this hearing is significant enough to attend,” Flanagan said. “This hearing will take place a stone’s throw from City Hall on a day and time his office previously confirmed would work with his schedule.”

Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina will attend the hearing instead.

To Read The Full Story

Are you already a subscriber?
Click to log in!