Albany to extend Mayor’s control over schools for 2 years
Photo: Edwin Martínez / Impremedia
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Since assuming the reins of New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has been loudly calling on the state Legislature to give him full control over the more than 1,700 public schools of the Big Apple, and although it has insisted that this guarantee be for 4 years, the extension of that figure will only be for a period of 2 years, until 2024.
That is the consensus in Albanywhich is expected to be formally approved in the next few hours, before the close of the 2022 legislative session, according to several politicians.
The agreement reached by legislators over the weekend, which highlights that school control would be for two years, and which was introduced within the the Legislaturedoes not seem to be very happy with the municipal president.
“While we believe all parties are operating in good faith, we also believe that the legislation, as currently drafted, is not the best thing we can do for New York City students, and we look forward to addressing these concerns in the coming years. days”, Mayor Adams assured.
Control over schools, a figure that has remained in the hands of the State, and which the City has requested on multiple occasions be fully granted to the municipal authorities, would allow greater progress and freedoms so that the Mayor’s Office could implement more plans and actions, as they have defended.
The Democratic State Senator John Liuwas one of the first political leaders to confirm that Albany will approve the control over schools for two years.
“There has been intense and protracted negotiation by multiple parties to try to figure out school governance in New York City going forward,” he said. the queens legislator.
“We are extending the control of the mayor for two years with additional mechanisms to strengthen the participation of parents. The mayor retains control of the school board, most appointments, as well as the hiring and firing of the chancellor. And we maintain the ability to hold the mayor accountable for performance, or lack thereof, with New York City public schools.”
Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT)was positive about the announcement and the effects it will have on the more than 900,000 public school students.
“Legislation introduced by the Chairman of the New York Board of Education, State Senator John Liuand the Chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, Michael Benedettowill increase parent participation in the governance of our public schools and ensure more independence for the members of the Educational Policy Panel, both important priorities for the teachers of the city”, assured the leader of the teachers.
Mulgrew highlighted that the advancing school governance bill will also promote changes in New York City’s governance structure by expanding the number of members in the Education Policy Panelfrom 15 to 23, giving greater power to parents.
The union leader also expressed his support for the law mandating class size reductionstating that it is a sign that the Legislature has heard the clamor of parents for reasonable class sizes and not overcrowding.
The Extension of control over schools to Mayor Adams It occurs just at a time when concerns about school safety are on the table, which requires the implementation of new municipal measures and actions.
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