The Campaign For Better Schools Chides The Mayor

Mayor Bloomberg thinks of himself more of an authoritarian or a King than a democratically-elected official. He's responded to "King Mike" before but it is his policies that have most of his critics concerned. The forced extension of term limits is just the latest and most public of his decisions that help a few to the detriment of the many. Just ask the people who have been priced out of their neighborhoods thanks to his zoning laws. Another issue that has many parent up in arms is his total control of the school system. NYC's schools were broken before he came into office, but singular rule by Bloomberg hasn't done much to help alleviate the situation.

From The Daily Politics:

Here's a brief video of an anti-mayoral control of schools rally that took place at City Hall yesterday and gives some idea of what Mayor Bloomberg will be up against as he tries to convince state lawmakers to reauthorize legislation that put control in his hands before it sunsets next summer.

Participants, who shouted "one man rule has got to go," deemed mayoral control a "failure" and announced the formation of the Campaign for Better Schools, which includes more than 25 groups like AQE, the New York Immigrant Coalition and the Coalition for Educational Justice, to fight its reapproval without changes.

Elected officials on hand for the rally: Councilman Bill de Blasio, Sen. Eric Schneiderman and Sen. Kevin Parker. Schneiderman and Parker both voiced support for stronger public participation in education policy-making, which is an issue that Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has also cited (specifically, the need for more parental input) as a priority for his Democrat-controlled house.

Earlier this fall, some Assembly Democrats warned it would be more difficult for Bloomberg to preserve mayoral control - a key element of his legacy - if he sought to extend term limits and run for re-election.

Bloomberg thinks he knows what's best for all of us but if anyone knows how dysfunctional the school system is, it would be the parents who send their children by the hundreds of thousands off in the morning. He's already dismissed the will of the voters on their decision to enact term limits, but here we have a chance to not only strip him and the Council of that decision in the newly reconfigured State Legislature but rescind his power over our schools as well.

More Balanced Funding For NYC Schools

A brand new system of allocating New York City's public education dollars was introduced by Schools Chancellor Joel Klein today. The per-pupil system streamlines an older complicated method that over-funded some schools and left others short-changed. Thanks to a billion dollar boost in the budget provided for by Albany, the transition should be a smooth one.

From The New York Times:

The new budget system, a core component of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s effort to revamp the nation’s largest school system, ties $5.3 billion of the city’s $16.9 billion schools budget to individual students, allotting a fixed amount per child and extra dollars based on particular needs.

It directs relatively more new spending to middle and elementary schools and less to high schools. The city, however, is using an overall $1 billion increase in education spending by the state, city and federal governments to ensure that no school loses money next year, absent a drop in enrollment or other factors like the loss of federal grants.

“Because we are committed to success for all students,” Mr. Klein said at a news conference yesterday at his office, “we are sending new funds to students who have the greatest needs, such as middle schoolers, students who are scoring at the lowest levels on math and English exams, English-language learners and special education students.”

The new system will have its share of critics complaining of a whole assortment of issues. Yet Klein and the other architect of the plan, Robert Gordon have been preparing for them. The weighted system gives the most to middle school students and helps out more for students needing bilingual education. The schools that have been more well-off will not feel a pinch yet, as Bloomberg has given them a two year leeway.

The public is also invited to take a look at the minutia on their website. I am glad to see that the city's school system is being reformed in such a way. Being open, accountable and providing for a more balanced system is what all school districts should be aspiring for.