I want to assure you that I have formed no opinion on Catherine Black, the choice for Schools Chancellor. I cannot. I do not know anything about her; I do not know where she stands on the issues; I do not know her education credentials, her attitudes and her beliefs. I want to be fair-minded and make my decisions based on facts, but I have few facts about Black.
I am troubled by the fact Black works for a media conglomerate, yet refuses to talk to the press.
Our schools are not corporations. They require fiscal knowledge coupled with educational vision and institutional understanding. From what I have read, Ms. Black has the first, but as regards the second and third she is a tabula rasa.
Accordingly, I believe that a public hearing should be held to acquaint the community with Black.
Toby Ann Stavisky, 16th Senatorial District
Chairwoman, State Senate Higher Education Committee
Member, State Senate Education Committee
