Bloomberg Has His Way with Cathie Black

Not much surprise here -- in spite of a "No" vote by his eight-member advisory board, state Education Commissioner David M. Steiner caved, giving Mayor Michael Bloomberg what he has been demanding: a waiver that would allow the tragically inexperienced Cathie Black to become chancellor of the nation's largest school system.

The legal out Steiner employed (which may not actually be legal) was Bloomberg's agreement to have an actual qualified educator serving with under Black, apparently whispering in her ear about all things educational. This qualified educator is Deputy Chancellor Shael Polakow-Suransky, who has experience running schools and has actual degrees and stuff.

Isn't that always the way? The guy with the real talent and experience ends up working as "assistant" to the boss's favorite.

Bloomberg says that Black, chairperson at Hearst Magazines (by the way, she seems like a nice person who somehow just got mixed up with the wrong people) doesn't need any experience in education because she's a talented manager.

Today a group of talented retired teachers are hoofing it over to Hearst Magazines in the hopes of snagging Black's job. Sounds fair.

Hey -- money saving idea! Why not cut out Black and just appoint Polakow-Suransky? We hear he's really qualified.

Stories about this: NY Times, NY1

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