Jeffries, 12 NYC Parents File Law Suit To Overturn Black's Appointment

A waiver that allowed Cathie Black to bypass state law for her appointment as chancellor of New York City's public school system should be overturned, according to a lawsuit filed earlier today by thirteen public school parents, including Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries and one teacher.

The proceeding is against David M. Steiner, New York State Commissioner of Education, who granted the waiver to Black last week.

The announcement was made at around 11:00 this morning in the State Senate Hearing Room at 250 Broadway. It intends to block Black's nomination as New York City Schools Chancellor on the grounds that she does not have the necessary qualifications for the position, as required by state law.

"This is not about mayoral control. If anything it's about an appointment that's out of control, because the failure to designate someone who is prepared to lead a system of 1.1 million schoolchildren does a grave disservice to their future," said Jeffries. "The mayor's application for waiver was fatally flawed. Commissioner Steiner should have denied it and we're hopeful, hopeful that the courts will overturn his decision."

Mr. Jeffries, a parent of two public school students, went on to state his feelings on why a well-qualified chancellor is more important than ever right now for Brooklyn parents and educators.

"There are more children in the public school system from Brooklyn than any other borough," said Jeffries whose district represents Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights and parts of Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights . "Hundreds of thousands of children are relying upon a Chancellor who is qualified to lead the public school system and provide our children with a first-rate education that adequately prepares them for the challenges of the 21st Century."

Black's appointment continues to rake in controversy, especially in light of recent comments she made to The New York Daily News earlier this week. Black acknowledged that she wasn't sure if she'd send her own kids to attend city schools and even admitted that she hasn't had any formal meetings with parents groups.

Still, Mayor Bloomberg continues to stand firmly behind his decision to appoint Black as the successor to outgoing Chancellor Joel Klein, despite almost two months of protests from parents, educators, politicians and activists who remain vigorously opposed to the pick.

"As the mother of two New York City public school students, one with special needs, I ask why is Cathleen Black, who lacks the statutory qualifications, allowed to serve as the next Schools Chancellor," said Patricia Connelly, a petitioner and public school parent from Bed-Stuy? "At the same time, I have to struggle day in and day out, often unsuccessfully, to obtain the free appropriate education and related services my disabled child is guaranteed under federal and state law."

Chris Owens, a district leader in Bed-Stuy and a parent of two NYC public school children, is hopeful that the lawsuit will succeed in blocking Black's appointment before January 3rd, when Black is scheduled to take the helm.

"And I could tell you from the people who've emailed me to the people I've talked to, people are angry as hell and they are demoralized. They say 'how come I struggle to get degrees, to improve myself, to learn how to do better with children every single day, put up with so much red tape and all of these regulations? But I do it because I love what I do, I love education and this person can be appointed who has done nothing and who has to do nothing of what I had to do to be a good educator?'" echoed Owens of teachers' frustrations.

"They're so blown away by the fact that it's happening. But we're providing a voice, providing a vehicle with this lawsuit," said Owens.

"I feel strong about the fact that the law has been violated and am hopeful that a judge will interpret the relevant law and come to that same conclusion," Jeffries added.

The full list of petitioners includes Jeffries, Owens, eleven other parents across five boroughs within the city and Julie Cavanaugh, a special education teacher from Brooklyn.