Video: de Blasio refuses to allow parent input in the choice of a new Chancellor; and Sen. Hoylman's letter in response

Three weeks ago, NYC parent leaders, including the co-chairs of the Chancellor's Parent Advisory Council and the leaders of the elected Community Education Councils,  asked Mayor de Blasio for a meeting to discuss how they could provide input towards the choice of a new Chancellor.  The Mayor still has not even responded to their letter, undercutting his claim that he respects parents and believes in real communication and collaboration.

See de Blasio's response to Sen. Brad Hoylman's questions in the video below,  about the Governor's proposal to increase charter school costs to NYC, and then about the Chancellor selection process.  Below that, Brad's follow-up letter to the Mayor about the latter issue.

Senator Brad Hoylman questioning Mayor de Blasio on Education from Class Size Matters on Vimeo.

HOYLMAN URGES “OPEN AND INCLUSIVE PROCESS” TO SELECT NEW CHANCELLOR OF NYC SCHOOL SYSTEM 

NEW YORK, NY – State Senator Brad Hoylman (D/WF–Manhattan) sent a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio today urging an “open and inclusive” selection process for the next Chancellor of New York City’s school system that gives parents a “substantive role in the selection,” and calling on the Mayor to meet with members of the Citywide and Community Education Councils (CEC). Hoylman’s request follows a January 13, 2018, letter by CEC members to the Mayor requesting a meeting to discuss the selection process.

Senator Brad Hoylman said: “Under the leadership of Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Fariña, New York City’s public schools have made marked progress. The search for a new Chancellor offers a unique opportunity to build on progress by giving parents a substantive role in the selection process. We cannot let this opportunity go to waste. As an elected official and a public school parent, I urge Mayor de Blasio to meet with representatives of New York’s 1 million public school parents to ensure they have a voice in choosing the next Chancellor.”'

In addition to calling for a more transparent selection process, Hoylman, who represents more than 60 public schools as representative for the 27^th State Senate District, endorsed a number of qualifications for the next Chancellor proffered by the citywide CECs:

• An educator with experience teaching in classrooms and serving as a school leader and someone who does not require a waiver;
• Experience managing or working in an administrative position in a large school district with diverse students and families;
• Track record in collaborating with parent leaders … in development of policies, initiatives and programs;
• Demonstrated commitment to and a good track record working with students with disabilities and English Language Learners.

A copy of Senator Hoylman’s letter can be found below.

February 8, 2018

Hon. Bill de Blasio

Mayor

City Hall

New York, NY 10007

Dear Mayor de Blasio:

I am writing in connection with the January 13, 2018 letter (the “Letter”) to you from members of the Citywide and Community Education Councils representing public school parents urging you to select the next Chancellor of the NYC School System through an open and inclusive process. 

I strongly agree with the sentiment of the Letter requesting you create an opportunity for parents and other stakeholders to interview the candidates for Chancellor. I endorse the qualifications and characteristics put forth in the letter for candidates of Chancellor, including:

• An educator with experience teaching in classrooms and serving as a school leader and someone who does not require a waiver;
• Experience managing or working in an administrative position in a large school district with diverse students and families;
• Track record in collaborating with parent leaders like us in development of policies, initiatives and programs;
• An innovator who can work the bureaucracy to develop creative solutions;
• Ability to use resources efficiently, equitably and creatively to maximize benefits for students;
• Demonstrated commitment to and a good track record working with students with disabilities and English Language Learners;
• Commitment to traditional public schools and to fighting privatization of our schools; and
• Strong motivation to tackle challenging issues including school segregation, charter school accountability and transparency, and supporting our highest need schools.

As a State Senator and a public school parent, I believe we should embrace every opportunity to increase parent engagement. It is essential that our next Chancellor inspire confidence from parents and guardians through a transparent and inclusive selection process. At the same time, we have a new and exciting opportunity to deepen parent involvement by giving parents a substantive role in the selection of the next Chancellor.

I urge your administration to meet with members of the Citywide and Community Education Councils as soon as possible to discuss ways to include parent input in the Chancellor selection process. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely yours,

Brad Hoylman

New York State Senator

District 27

###