Both candidates endorsed by NYC Kids PAC are victorious

For Immediate Release: November 3, 2010


Contact: Shino Tanikawa: (917) 770-8438

Mel Meer: (718) 428-3659

Mona Davids: (917) 340-8987



Last night, NY State Comptroller Thomas Di Napoli and State Senator-elect Tony Avella from Queens won their respective races, the only two candidates for office who were endorsed by NYC Kids PAC this fall because of their exemplary records on education. NYC Kids PAC was formed by public school parents in 2009 to support candidates who work to improve our schools in ways that matter to parents, including reducing class size, alleviating overcrowding, and ensuring more fiscal transparency and accountability.

As Shino Tanikawa of the Parent Commission on School Governance and NYC Kids PAC said, “Since he became Comptroller in 2007, Thomas Di Napoli has provided an invaluable public service to parents and taxpayers by providing rigorous fiscal oversight of the use of public funds by charter school operators and the New York City Department of Education, to protect against waste, fraud and corruption. Tony Avella has consistently stood up for parents on the issues that matter – from school overcrowding to Mayoral control. We are thrilled by the fact that both these men will be representing the interests of parents up in Albany, men who are not afraid to stand up to the billionaires who would like to control our government and privatize our public schools.”



Mel Meer, Queens public school parent and founding chair of Community Board 11's Education Committee said: “They said it couldn't be done. Frank Padavan, 38-year Senate veteran and the principal sponsor of the 2009 legislation extending mayoral control, was handily defeated by Tony Avella, who made education a major issue in his campaign and has called for a greater voice for parents. As Councilmember, Tony voted against the city’s inadequate capital plan for school construction, because he recognized how many of our public schools are bursting at the seams. He has been a fierce critic of Chancellor Klein’s and Mayor Bloomberg’s dictatorial control, has consistently opposed the overemphasis on standardized testing, and has supported providing our children with a rich and varied curriculum.”



According to Mona Davids, President of the NY Charter Parents Association, "We were gratified by Comptroller Di Napoli's win last night, especially as his opponent Harry Wilson had accused him of "harassing" charter schools through his audit authority. Charter school parents insist there must be rigorous audits to protect integrity and accountability, and to ensure that maximum resources are invested in educational programs and services for our children, rather than lining the pockets of charter school administrators, trustees, or their associates.”



With term limits reinstated, New York City voters will have an opportunity in two years to elect many new members of the City Council and a new Mayor. NYC Kids PAC will endorse and work to elect only those candidates who have a proven record of responding positively to parents’ concerns and priorities, and to protect, adequately fund, and improve our children’s public schools.



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