Assembly Votes to Extend NYC’s Mayoral Control of Schools

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s control of New York City’s public schools would be renewed for another three years under legislation approved Monday by the state Assembly.

The measure, which is similar to one supported by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, is likely to face tough scrutiny in the state Senate, where members of the Republican majority have said they want to see changes to the policy before agreeing to a renewal.

The mayor of New York City has controlled city schools since 2002, but the law governing the policy expires this year. De Blasio, a Democrat, has called for permanent mayoral control, an idea all but abandoned in Albany, where the Assembly now joins Cuomo in endorsing a three-year extension.

“Mayor de Blasio stands by his commitment to New York City’s school children,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said after Monday’s 98-39 vote. “He has expressed his desire to implement positive changes and we have agreed to work with him to improve schools throughout the city.”

Senate Leader John Flanagan (R-Long Island) said Sunday that he wants to see changes to the arrangement — along with a requirement that the city provide more funding to under-performing schools.

“Reforms need to be made … to guarantee transparency and accountability,” Flanagan said in a statement outlining his priorities for the remainder of the legislative session.

Wiley Norvell, a spokesman for the mayor, said the bill’s passage in the Assembly “sends a clear message that the time to move on this vital priority is now.

“Mayoral control works,” Novell said.

Under the policy, de Blasio appoints the chancellor and eight of 13 members of the city’s Panel of Educational Policy. The other five members are appointed by the borough presidents and must be parents of public school children.

Assembly and Senate leaders will aim to negotiate a compromise over the next several weeks. Lawmakers hope to end their session next month.

This article appeared in print on page 34 of the May 20th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.