I am writing regarding the recent selection by Mayor Bloomberg of Cathie Black as Chancellor of the Department of Education to replace outgoing Joel Klein.
New York state law is clear on the qualifications for the position of Chancellor of Schools and Black clearly does not meet those qualifications.
Black, herself has stated that finances and spreadsheets are not her strong points and that they “make her eyes glaze over” but that her main forte is in marketing and sales.
The NYC school system is not selling widgets or magazines.
I ask, would you select a Police Commissioner with no prior experience in law enforcement or a Fire Commissioner who had never seen a fire?
In closing, I would urge New York Education Department Chancellor David Steiner not to grant the necessary waiver to Black.
David M. Quintana
Ozone Park
